Webinar: Building and Maintaining Community Preparedness Partnerships among CERT Programs and Medical Reserve Corps

On Tuesday, May 23, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual and Community Preparedness Division (ICPD) invites you to a webinar featuring community preparedness partnerships among local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs and the Medical Reserve Corps. Speakers will share how they built and continue to maintain these successful partnerships to better prepare and respond to a disaster.

Title: Building and Maintaining Community Preparedness Partnerships Among CERT Programs and the Medical Reserve Corps

Date: Tuesday, May 23

Time: 3 – 4:30 p.m. EDT

Featured Speakers:

• Tyler Krska, Emergency Management Specialist, FEMA ICPD
• David Richardson, Health Officer, Township of Manalapan, New Jersey
• Kim Silverstein, Volunteer Coordinator, Township of Manalapan, New Jersey
• Carla R. Mitchell, National Technical Assistance Coordinator, Medical Reserve Corps Program, U.S. Department Health and Human Services

How to Join the Webinar:

• Please register for the event using the Adobe Connect registration web link.
• Be sure to test your Adobe Connect connection prior to the meeting.
• This webinar will offer captioning.

We hope to that you will be able to join us on May 23!

Prepare During Older Americans Month

May is Older Americans Month and a great time to ensure you or any members of your household prepare for emergencies.   The first step is identifying what you or older adults in your household may need to be prepared. Evaluate those needs, include them in your emergency plan, and add any necessary items to your emergency supply kit. The Ready Campaign recommends seniors consider the following measures: Create a network of neighbors, relatives, friends, and co-workers to aid you in an emergency. Discuss your needs and make sure everyone knows how to operate necessary equipment. If appropriate, discuss your needs with your employer. Keep specialized items ready, including extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication, food for service animals, and any other items you might need. Keep written copies of your prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and orders for medical equipment, including dosage, treatment, and allergy information in your emergency kit. Make a list of the type and model numbers of the medical devices you require. Talk with your medical service providers about their emergency plans if you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital or if you receive regular services such as home health care, treatment, or transportation. Work with them to identify back-up service providers and incorporate them into your personal support network. Get copies and maintain electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other sources to store for your reference. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides an online tool intended to help people locate and access their electronic health records from a variety of sources. Coordinate with friends, family, or specialty transportation service providers in the event of a mandatory evacuation. Find more information on preparedness for older Americans at www.ready.gov/seniors.

Now Is the Time to Apply for the 2017 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards

Did you or someone you know make advancements in preparedness over the past year? If so, apply for or nominate them for a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual and Community Preparedness Award. These awards highlight innovative local practices and achievements by recognizing individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions toward strengthening their community to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster. This year, the awards will showcase achievements in the following categories: Outstanding Citizen Corps Council Community Preparedness Champions Awareness to Action Technological Innovation Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness John D. Solomon Whole Community Preparedness Award Outstanding Private Sector Initiatives Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team Initiatives Outstanding Citizen Corps Partner Program Prepareathon in Action For consideration in this year’s awards, send all applications to fema-icp-awards@fema.dhs.gov by May 30, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Applications need to feature program activities occurring between January 1, 2016 and May 30, 2017. For more information on how to apply, visit www.ready.gov/preparedness-awards.