Community Emergency Response Team

CERT and PODs (Points of Distribution)

2010-04-27T10:40:00.001-07:00

Following a major disaster, such as an earthquake, equipment and supplies will be rushed into the area to help the affected people. As food, water, blankets, etc. come in via convoys, a method of distribution to individuals and families must be set up and operated. This would be a "POD" or Point of Distribution.

CERT could be asked to assist in this operation following the emergency activities that would be your primary responsibility: yourself, your family and your neighborhood.

What are Points of Distribution or PODs?

- Points of Distribution are centralized locations where the public picks up life sustaining commodities following a disaster or emergency.

- Commodities usually include shelf stable food and water.

During a disaster, one method of issuing supplies may not be enough. The Jackson-Madison Co EMA could use other distribution systems or use all of them at once. All three complement each other and provide expanded distribution coverage.

Mobil delivery is a method that utilizes vehicles to drive into an affected area and provide commodities at different drop locations or where the need is identified. This type of distribution is common in rural areas and where roads are damaged.

Direct delivery is coordinating with a specific location, such as a shelter, feeding site, or hospital for the delivery of specific items and quantities. These commodities could be food, water, comfort kits etc. Direct deliveries are usually larger in size and more specific in commodity type than what is delivered through mobile delivery.

Points of Distribution are centralized points where supplies are delivered and the public travels to the site to pick up the commodities.

If you are interested is assisting with this program, if needed, you are encouraged to take the following FEMA free on-line course: IS-26: Guide to Points of Distribution ( http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS26.asp ).

Once you have taken this course and received your FEMA Certificate of Completion, please email a copy to: jmcema@bellsouth.net

LDS Church CERT Team Final Exercise

2010-03-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

On the morning of Saturday March 20, 2010, members of the LDS Church CERT Team of Jackson, TN completed their required Final Exercise to become a certified Community Emergency Response Team, part of the Citizen Corps program of the Department of Homeland Security.

The LDS CERT Team practiced and honed their skills in light fire suppression, triage and search and rescue. This was the last phase of a 20+ hour course to become a CERT Team member.

Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.

One also expects that under these kinds of conditions, family members, fellow employees, and neighbors will spontaneously try to help each other. This was the case following the Mexico City earthquake where untrained, spontaneous volunteers saved 800 people. However, 100 people lost their lives while attempting to save others. This is a high price to pay and is preventable through training.

If we can predict that emergency services will not meet immediate needs following a major disaster, especially if there is no warning as in an earthquake, and people will spontaneously volunteer, what can government do to prepare citizens for this eventuality?

First, present citizens the facts about what to expect following a major disaster in terms of immediate services. Second, give the message about their responsibility for mitigation and preparedness. Third, train them in needed life saving skills with emphasis on decision making skills, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. Fourth, organize teams so that they are an extension of first responder services offering immediate help to victims until professional services arrive.

If you would like more information about CERT and how you can start a team in your neighborhood or organization, please contact:

G. Michael Winslow, CERT Coordinator
Jackson-Madison County Emergency Management Agency
Tennessee Homeland Security District 10

731-427-1271
gmwinslo@bellsouth.net

Photos courtesy of Jimmy Owen

CERT Team Final Exercise March 20, 2010

2010-03-16T07:55:00.001-07:00

CERT Final Exercise for LDS Church CERT Team will be held Saturday March 20^th, 2010 at the Jackson Fire Department Training Center from 9 am – 12 pm.

Topics covered will be:

1. Fire Safety

2. Fire suppression

3. Search & Rescue

4. Cribbing

5. Triage

All current CERT Team Members and Instructors are invited to come and observe and/or participate in this session.

Being prepared makes for a safer community.

G. Michael Winslow, CERT Coordinator

Jackson-Madison Co EMA

Tennessee Homeland Security District 10

LDS Church of Jackson, TN CERT Training

2009-10-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

On October 16th and 17th, the CERT Team from the LDS Church located on Pipkin Rd in Jackson, TN started their CERT Training program.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Our volunteer instructors for this class included:

Scott Mizen - Sardis CERT
Ray Lipford - Sardis CERT
Marty Clements - Director, Jackson-Madison Co EMA
Scott Parrish - LANA CERT
Sgt. Alan Castleman - Madison County Sheriff's Department
Billy Young - Union Universtity, Director of Security

Thanks to all volunteers and instructors. The CERT program could not function without you.

For more information on CERT and training opportunities, contact:

G. Michael Winslow, CERT Coordinator
Jackson-Madison Co EMA
TN Homeland Security District 10
gmwinslo@bellsouth.net
731-616-8599

Multi-Agency Emergency Drill Oct 10, 2009

2009-10-12T04:24:00.000-07:00

On October 10th, 2009, the MSC CERT team lead by Scott Mizen participated in an emergency drill involving the Boy Scouts from several Troops in West Tennessee. This drill was held at the BSA annual Camporee on the Maubury family farm in Denmark, TN.

The drill scenario was a school bus accident / fire with multiple injuries that required emergency responders to suppress the fire, locate and extract the victims and transport them to a Triage area managed by the CERT Team.

The drill was very realistic complete with professional makeup (lacerations, abrasions, impalements) designed and applied by Leah Gray, CERT Coordinator for Jackson State Community College, Jackson, TN.

Emergency responder units participating the the drill, which was run twice that day, were:

Madison County Fire Department
City of Jackson Fire Department
Medical Center EMS
Madison County Sheriff's Department
Lifeforce Air Evac.
Jackson-Madison County Emergency Management Agency

Congratulations to all who participated in this important and valuable drill. As it happened, the same day of the drill, a real life bus accident occurred in Utah very similar to our scenario. It can happen and the skills learned and practiced here in Madison County could save a life someday.

G. Michael Winslow, CERT Coordinator
Jackson-Madison Co EMA
District 10 - TN Homeland Security

Escape and Rescue from Submerged Vehicles

2009-09-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

By Gerald Dworkin

Each year, there are approximately 1,500 incidents and 600 deaths occur involving vehicles that have gone off the road and plummeted into the water. Therefore, the public needs to plan for these types of emergencies by (A) rehearsing the steps necessary for a successful self-rescue from a vehicle in the water, and (B) having the rescue/escape tools readily available for use during this type of emergency situation. In addition, First Responder agencies need to provide the training necessary to prepare their personnel to respond to these types of incidents, and should provide the Personal Protective Equipment and rescue tools necessary for a safe and effective response to vehicles in the water.

SAFETY

Public service campaigns should be increased in an effort to educate the public about the risks of driving through flooded highways; driving in close proximity to bodies of water during snow, rain or other slippery conditions; or driving over lakes, rivers or ponds that have frozen over. The following information should be included in these efforts:

It only takes 6” to 2' of water to float a vehicle off its wheels. Heed warnings about low water crossings and do not attempt to cross flooded highways.

8” to 12” of new, clear, hard ice is required to drive a small vehicle onto the ice. 12” to 15” of new, clear, hard ice is required to drive a medium-sized truck onto the ice.

Wearing seatbelts will increase your chances of surviving a crash into the water.

If a vehicle leaves the road and lands in deep water, the vehicle's float time at the surface of the water may be as little as 30 seconds, or as much as 4 minutes. Factors which effect the float time include closed, sealed, and intact windows and weather seals. Because of the location of the motor in the front of the vehicle, the vehicle will immediately assume an angled nose down position in the water.

ESCAPE

Because of the relatively limited time frame for self-rescue, the decision to escape the vehicle must be made immediately. However, because of the angled nose-down position in the water and the pressure exerted by the water against the doors, as well as structural damage to the vehicle as a result the crash, it may be extremely difficult or impossible to open the driver's side and passenger doors of the vehicle in order to effect an escape. Therefore, the only avenue of escape may be through the car door windows.

Studies have shown that the electric power may stay on for as much as 10 minutes. Or, the battery can short out immediately, making the electric window switches useless. Therefore, in order to escape through the car door windows, the occupants must be able to punch out the windows. Because the door windows, as well as the rear window, are constructed of tempered glass, they will easily shatter using an appropriate rescue/escape tool, such as a life hammer device, or a spring-loaded window punch. Many of the commercially available rescue/escape tools also have an integrated seat-belt cutter/blade that provides the ability to slice away a seat belt should its release mechanism fail or jam.

The decision to escape the vehicle must be made as soon as the vehicle leaves the road and enters the water. If the occupants delay their escape from the vehicle and the vehicle begins to sink, it may not be possible to effect an escape until the water pressure has equalized inside the vehicle. Also, should the vehicle land in deep water, if the water depth is less than 14', the vehicle will usually come to rest on the bottom on all four wheels, assuming there are no large rocks or other debris on the bottom. However, water depths greater than 14' usually results in the vehicle turning turtle and landing on its roof. Needless to say, being upside down in a dark environment with water rushing in will totally disorient the occupants of the vehicle.

We advocate the escape principles of SOS-GO.

S = Stay Calm
Assess the Situation
Slow your Breathing
O = Open your Window(s) or Door(s)
S = Disengage your Seatbelt
GO = Get Out

In order to accomplish this, these emergency procedures should be rehearsed before the emergency occurs. Use a body reference point to identify and locate the door latch, window crank or electric window switch. As an example, the driver should practice finding the location of these by touching his knee or hip with his/her left hand and then move the hand laterally to the door. A rescue/escape tool should be immediately available for punching out the window and cutting seatbelts. This tool should be mounted on the sidewall of the driver's side compartment, attached to the key ring, or located in some other conspicuous location that can be easily accessed during an emergency. Consideration should be given to additional tools for the passenger side and rear seat compartments as well.

If there are multiple occupants, once an escape route has been opened, each occupant should hold hands in a human chain and escape from the same route. If young children are secured in car seats, based on a limited study, we found that of those car seats we evaluated, they were sufficiently buoyant to float a child on the surface of the water. Therefore, the car seat can be cut loose from the seat belt and removed from the vehicle with the child still secured in the car seat.

There is no doubt that when a vehicle leaves the roadway and plunges into the water, this would be an extremely frightening experience, especially during the winter months with cold water posing additional risks and hazards to the occupants. But, by rehearsing the emergency escape and survival procedures and having the rescue/escape tools readily available, occupants can safely and rapidly self-extricate themselves from this situation before the vehicle begins to sink.

RESCUE

Public Safety and Rescue personnel should be appropriately trained, protected, and equipped to effectively and safely respond to vehicles in the water. Besides the availability of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), Wetsuits, and/or Dry-Suits, rescue personnel should have the tools readily available to punch in the car door windows or the rear window in order to rapidly extricate a victim or multiple victims from a vehicle in the water. Spring-loaded window punches or life hammer type devices with seat-belt cutters provide the rescuer with the opportunity to gain immediate access to the victims and to cut away the victim's seat belt for their immediate extrication from the vehicle.

As standard protocol, whenever a rescue agency is dispatched to respond to a vehicle in the water, the dispatch of a wrecker should be automatic in every community and emergency response system. Upon arrival of the wrecker, it can be used to assist in the stabilization of the vehicle during and after the rescue of the vehicle occupants.

RESCUE/ESCAPE TOOLS

We evaluated a number of rescue/escape tools. These tools are either hammer-type devices or spring-loaded window punch devices. Although both types of tools were effective in breaking door windows and rear car windows, we found that the hammer-type devices were more dependable. Each of the spring-loaded window punch devices we tested were effective in breaking the windows when they were first removed from their packaging. However, after several practice drills, the points on these devices became dull which resulted in their failure to work and break the windows. Therefore, we caution against using the spring-loaded window punches for any purpose other than for breaking the windows. Furthermore, using a spring-loaded window punch, without appropriate hand protection, increased the chance of suffering cuts on the hand than the use of the hammer-type device. Regardless, rescue personnel should always wear an appropriate water rescue, neoprene, or fire glove when using any type of device to shatter door windows or vehicle rear windows.

About the Author

Gerald Dworkin is a professional aquatics safety and water rescue consultant for Lifesaving Resources Inc. (lifesaving.com) and is responsible for aquatics safety, lifeguard, water rescue, and ice rescue training curricula and programs. He also consults as an expert in drowning and aquatic injury litigation. He is a graduate from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, and has over 30 years professional experience in the fire, EMS, and water rescue sector. He is currently a firefighter/EMT for the Harrisville (NH) Fire and Rescue Department. For more information, visit www.lifesaving.com, or e-mail Gerry at admin@lifesaving.com.

Boy Scout Disaster Drill October 10th

2009-09-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody:

I have more details about this exercise on October 10th, 2009.

This exercise will be in conjunction with the West Tennessee Council of Boy Scouts of America Camporee to be held in Denmark on October 9-11. The exercise will be on Saturday October 10th from 9am - 12pm and repeated at 1pm - 3 pm.

This is shaping up very well and will be a multi-agency drill involving the Madison County Fire Department, The City of Jackson Fire Department, Medical Center Emergency Medical Service, Madison County Schools Transportation Department, CERT, and the Jackson-Madison County Emergency Management Agency.

We need to have as many CERT members/instructors as are available participate.

Here is the scenario:

The Madison Co School Bus Dept will have two buses staged at the scene. One bus will be "involved" in a major accident with a wide range of injuries. Boy Scouts will portray the victims to be treated and extracted by EMS and the Fire Departments.

Older Scouts will perform immediate first aid and help get "walking wounded" and un-injured off their respective buses before First Responders arrive. We need CERT members to assist with this and to mentor the Scouts. CERT will set up a Triage area and demonstrate to the Scouts how to do this.

This will be a great opportunity to brush up on your skills and perform a great service for the Scouts. Please make every effort to attend and bring your kits.

The exercise will be held at 550 Shady Grove Road in Denmark. From I40, take Exit 76; turn left on TN-223; Turn left at Britton Lane/TN-223 and continue on TN-223; Camporee at 550 Shady Grove in Denmark.
(Click on the map above to enlarge)

Thank you, in advance, for your participation.

G. Michael Winslow
CERT Coordinator
JMC-EM / TN Homeland Security District 10

CDC H1N1 Flu Situation Update, September 26, 2009

2009-09-28T06:13:00.000-07:00

Key Flu Indicators

Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators in a report called FluView. During the week of September 13-19, 2009, a review of the key indicators found that influenza activity continued to increase in the United States compared to the prior weeks. Below is a summary of the most recent key indicators:

Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) are increasing nationally. Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness are higher than what is expected during this time of year and have increased for six consecutive weeks now. This is very unusual for this time of year.

Total influenza hospitalization rates for adults and children are similar to or lower than seasonal influenza hospitalization rates depending on age group, but are higher than expected for this time of year.

The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report was low and within the bounds of what is expected at this time of year. However, 49 pediatric deaths related to 2009 H1N1 flu have been reported to CDC since April 2009, including three deaths reported this week.

Twenty-six states are reporting widespread influenza activity at this time. They are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington. Any reports of widespread influenza activity in September are very unusual.

Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far are 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the viruses chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.

Boy Scout Emergency Drill

2009-09-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

To All CERT Team Leaders and Members:

On October 10, 2009, the West Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Jackson-Madison Emergency Management Agency will have a joint disaster exercise. This will coincide with the Boy Scout West Tennessee Camporee held on a farm (TBD) in the Britton Lane Battlefield area.

The scenario will involve a school bus incident with multiple injuries. The Jackson-Madison School Transportation Dept will also be involved in the drill.

We would like to have as many CERT members participate in the drill with the Boy Scouts. This would be an excellent opportunity to work as teams or individuals to practice you skills such as utilizing ‘spontaneous volunteers’ (the Scouts) at a disaster scene.

The drill will be run two or three times in order to involve as many Scouts as possible and this will give you an opportunity to practice different CERT duties. This will last most of the day, but you can leave if needed

I will send you more details as we have them. Please check the District 10 CERT web site for information on this drill. http://dist10cert.blogspot.com/

Please respond via email if you will be available to participate in this drill. This will be written up and sent to Citizen’s Corp for their CERT Newsletter.

Thank you, in advance, for your time and efforts.

G. Michael Winslow, CERT Coordinator

Jackson-Madison Co / TN Homeland Security District 10

Statement from FEMA Administrator Fugate on Preparedness as We Approach Independence Day Weekend

2009-07-02T19:37:00.001-07:00

Release Date: July 2, 2009
Release Number: HQ-09-079

"As we take this opportunity to observe the July 4th holiday with loved ones and friends, we are reminded of all we have to be thankful for and why it is so critical that we do all we can to protect our families and communities. I encourage all Americans to take a few simple steps to ensure that if and when your community is impacted by an emergency or disaster, you are prepared.

"Most importantly, develop a family disaster plan - have the discussion now about what you will do if your community is impacted, where you will go, how you will communicate with your loved ones. I also encourage you to take a CPR or first aid course, transforming you from a survivor to an asset to your family and community in the case of emergencies. And, in the case of an emergency, after you have determined the safety of you and your family, check on a neighbor and make sure others are safe."

"We are all a part of our nation's emergency response team, and the small steps we can each take now will go a long way in shaping our successful response to the next disaster. For more information on how to make sure you and your family are prepared please visit http://www.ready.gov/."

Additionally, the July 4th celebration includes its own hazards, especially regarding the use of fireworks. Below are some simple guidelines from the U.S. Fire Administration:

The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home - period. Attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.
Kids should never play with fireworks. Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) - hot enough to melt gold.
Steer clear of others - fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.
Don't allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time.
Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the Fourth of July. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk to them.

Learn more by visiting: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/.

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.

This news story and other Community Preparedness news, including Citizen Corps Bulletins, can be found on our website at http://www.citizencorps.gov/.

Sincerely,

The National Office of Citizen Corps
FEMA Community Preparedness Division

CERT Helps in Hazardous Materials Drill

2009-06-29T16:25:00.000-07:00

On June 18th, 2009, members of the Henderson County CERT Team participated in a joint drill simulating a hazardous materials incident with the Madison County Health Department and first responders from Madison and Henderson counties.

The drill was held at the old Tennessee Department of Transportation facility located in Jackson, TN and a second drill the same day at the Henderson County Farm Coop.

CERT members assisted in the drill by supporting the Incident Commander with documentation and the Madison County Health Department providing water and relief to first responders and volunteers during the extreme heat the day of the drills.

CERT participants included Ray Lipford, Alex Lipford, Shawn Mizen, Wesley Rushing and Scott Mizen.

EMP: An Old Threat With New Urgency

2009-04-17T07:58:00.000-07:00

By Jack Spencer, The Heritage Foundation

A nuclear-generated electromagnetic pulse "is one of a small number of threats that has the potential to hold our society seriously at risk and might result in defeat of our military forces." The Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack announced this startling conclusion in a July 22 report to Congress. This alarming report clears the way for Congress to debate more seriously the most effective measures to meet the threat of an EMP attack.

What Is Electromagnetic Pulse?

In addition to the ability to kill thousands of people instantly, nuclear weapons have another, equally crippling capability to destroy or disrupt power grids, electronic systems, and communications in an entire country, while sparing the lives of its people--at least initially. Specifically, a nuclear bomb detonated above the earth's atmosphere would create a split-second electromagnetic pulse, similar to an extremely high-energy radio wave. For example, a single nuclear weapon detonated at an altitude of 500 kilometers could produce an EMP that would blanket the entire continental United States, potentially damaging or destroying military forces and civilian communications, power, transportation, water, food, and other infrastructure essential to modern society. Although recent changes in homeland security policy would decrease the severity of such an attack, recovery could still take years. In a congressional hearing on the EMP threat, chaired by Representative Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), Dr. Lowell Wood of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory described the effect of an EMP attack as instantly regressing a country dependent on 21st century technology by more than 100 years.

Although the EMP threat has been the focus of significant government-funded research and testing over the past 30 years, most of those efforts were conducted during the Cold War and focused on hardening strategic systems against a massive nuclear attack by the Soviet Union. Far fewer resources have been dedicated to examining the potential vulnerability of the U.S. civilian and industrial infrastructure to an EMP attack. Moreover, since the end of the Cold War, U.S. military and civilian systems have become increasingly dependent on advanced electronics that are potentially more vulnerable than older electronics to EMP attack--a trend that will likely continue.

America's Vulnerability to EMP Attack

Little has been done to safeguard U.S. electrical systems from the EMP threat beyond simply protecting the nation's nuclear war-fighting infrastructure--and even that is not as secure as it once was. During the Cold War, only the Soviet Union--and to a lesser extent China--had the ability to mount an EMP attack against the United States. If one of those countries had launched an EMP attack, it would most likely have been the initial salvo of a larger nuclear attack. Therefore, it made little sense to separate an EMP attack from general nuclear war. Because most civilian and non-strategic military equipment would be destroyed or of no use during a full-scale nuclear exchange, there was no requirement to protect civil infrastructure from an EMP.

Today, the proliferation of nuclear technology and ballistic missiles has changed the nature of the EMP threat. A high-altitude EMP explosion over the continental United States or a battle space must be understood as a separate and unique threat that requires a unique response. Understanding both the effects of EMP, as well as America's vulnerability, is the first step in addressing the threat.

The scientific principles behind generating a high-altitude EMP are relatively simple. If a nuclear weapon is detonated between 25 miles and 300 miles above the earth's surface, the radiation from the explosion interacts with air molecules to produce high-energy electrons that speed across the earth's magnetic field as an instantaneous, invisible electromagnetic pulse.

An EMP can have devastating consequences for developed countries because any metallic conductor in the affected area becomes a "receiver" for the powerful energy burst released by the blast. Such receivers include anything with electronic wiring--from airplanes and automobiles to computers, railroad tracks, and communication lines. If systems connected to these "receivers" are not protected, they will likely be damaged or disrupted by the intense energy pulse. Indeed, depending on the strength of the pulse and the vulnerability of the equipment, the effects could range from a passing interference to completely melting the electrical components.

An EMP attack damages all unprotected electronic equipment within the blast's "line of sight" (the EMP's "footprint" on the earth's surface). The size of the footprint is determined by the altitude of the explosion. The higher the altitude, the greater the land area affected. A Scud-type ballistic missile launched from a vessel in U.S. coastal waters and detonated at an altitude of 95 miles could degrade electronic systems across one-quarter of the United States. A more powerful missile launched from North Korea could probably deliver a warhead 300 miles above America--enough to degrade the electronic systems across the entire continental United States.

Furthermore, a nuclear weapon with only a low explosive yield could be designed to generate a strong EMP. In fact, crude weapons with low yields, such as those used against Japan in World War II, would have ample power to generate an EMP over the entire continental United States.

Likely EMP Scenarios

Under what circumstance would the United States be attacked with an EMP? Possible scenarios include a rogue state interested in demonstrating its ability to strike U.S. territory or a country that wants to give itself an advantage in a regional conflict by crippling U.S. military and other allied forces that are more dependent on advanced electronics.

Although the threat of a high-altitude EMP attack against America existed during the Cold War, the likelihood may be much greater today. During the Cold War, an EMP attack was viewed as the first step in launching a nuclear war. However, it was never tried because the threat of massive nuclear retaliation, the central tenet of the mutual assured destruction doctrine, provided an effective deterrent. Although China and Russia both maintain the ability to launch major nuclear strikes against the United States, the Cold War dynamic that made the doctrine of mutual assured destruction relevant is largely gone from today's strategic calculations.

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), the rise of powerful non-state actors, and the evolving strategic relationships with countries like China and Russia have made the threat more difficult to assess. In reality, the U.S. simply cannot rely on the old tools of deterrence to compel threatening regimes not to attack the United States or its interests. As demonstrated on September 11, 2001, the Cold War deterrent of massive retaliation does not work.

The emergence of nuclear rogue states results in a completely new strategic calculation. Since no rogue nation has the capacity to fight a general nuclear war, an EMP blast would not be a precursor of full-scale nuclear war. Furthermore, since an EMP blast is unlikely to kill anyone directly or to be followed by a nuclear strike that would annihilate U.S. cities, the United States is less likely to retaliate and destroy an entire nation of innocent people as punishment for the decisions of a rogue leader. It is simply unclear how the U.S. would respond to such an attack.

The difficulty of developing a clear response to EMP is due primarily to the unique nature of the threat. It is unclear, for example, what would constitute a "proportional response" to an explosion that takes place in space without being seen or heard, yet instantaneously devastates society or a military force while resulting in no initial loss of life or physical destruction. Furthermore, there is a dearth of academic or legal analysis by which to guide such policies because, until very recently, few took the threat seriously. This is especially so in the context of rogue states or transnational groups.

The simple motivation for a rogue state to use its limited nuclear arsenal in an EMP strike against the United States is that an EMP attack maximizes the impact of a few warheads while minimizing the risk of retaliation. This profound decrease in risk for rogue leaders could impel them to use EMP to offset overwhelming U.S. conventional power on the battlefield. While EMP may not precede general nuclear war, it could be used as an opening salvo in a conventional war. Nations with small numbers of nuclear missiles, such as North Korea or Iran, may consider an EMP attack against U.S. forces in a region, to degrade the U.S. military's technological advantage, or against the United States' national electronic infrastructure.

Furthermore, an EMP attack using a few nuclear weapons could theoretically damage the entire continental United States, far exceeding the impact of using those same warheads against specific U.S. cities or installations. Likewise, an EMP attack could degrade the U.S. armed forces throughout an entire region. Because America's response to an EMP attack by a rogue state is unclear and because EMP attacks are less risky for rogue states, such attacks are far more likely in this era of nuclear weapons proliferation than during the Cold War.

Protecting America Against EMP

Unfortunately, hardening systems is difficult and expensive. To protect electronics infrastructure, entire systems must be encased in a metallic shield to prevent any external electromagnetic pulse from entering. Moreover, antennas and power connections must be equipped with surge protectors, windows must be coated with wire mesh or conductive coating, and doors must be sealed with conductive gaskets. Fiber optic cable is not vulnerable to EMP, but the switches and controls that use microelectronics in conjunction with the fiber optic cable need to be protected. Continuing efforts to replace copper communications cable with fiber optic cable will significantly reduce overall EMP vulnerability. To ensure that the protection lasts for the lifetime of the equipment, system maintenance and testing should be performed regularly. If a system is modified, repaired, or serviced, its EMP vulnerability should be reassessed.

All of these steps can be affordable. Assuming these protections are engineered into a product or structure from the outset, these protections would add as little as 1 percent to 5 percent to overall costs. (Retrofitting systems, however, could add substantial costs.) EMP surge protectors have become very inexpensive. According to George Ullrich, former Deputy Director of the now abolished Defense Special Weapons Agency, such hardening is needed:

Systems, such as commercial power grids [and] telecommunications networks re-main vulnerable to widespread outages and upsets due to high altitude EMP. While DOD hardens assets it deems vital, no comparable civil program exists.

Conclusion

As the EMP Commission reported, an EMP attack on America is a serious possibility and one for which the United States is unprepared. While the world focuses on WMDs and ballistic missiles, it is imperative that an EMP attack be considered with equal weight. The profound impact that an EMP attack would have on a developed, modern, electronically oriented country forces nations in similar positions to reassess their own protection against such attack.

Looking toward the future, America should consider its options for protecting its infrastructure against such a debilitating attack. Those options are limited, but include deploying an effective missile defense system and hardening electronic systems against EMP. As the commission indicated, the implications of an EMP attack need to be assessed further with greater severity and inevitability as America considers possible protective actions against this threat.

Jack Spencer is Senior Policy Analyst for Defense and National Security in the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies at The Heritage Foundation.

Tornado strikes small Arkansas town, killing 3

2009-04-10T04:19:00.000-07:00

This could have happened here. Review your safety plans and check you 72-hour kits and CERT Kits. Be ready - Be Prepared!
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MENA, Ark. (AP) — A tornado struck a small Arkansas town Thursday night, killing three people, injuring at least 24 and seriously damaging about 100 homes.

Mena, near the Oklahoma state line, suffered a direct hit that destroyed at least 10 businesses, including city hall and two churches, Polk County emergency coordinator James Reeves said.

"One manufacturing plant is gone," he said. "It took a direct hit. It's no longer there."

The National Weather Service said a woman was injured at Shreveport, La., when a tree fell onto her car during a tornado. Twisters also damaged homes east of Vinita and near Muse in Oklahoma and at Crossett in far southern Arkansas, near the Louisiana line.

At Mena, one of the victims killed in the storm was found in a collapsed house, one in a Masonic lodge, and another was found in her front yard, he said. The identities of the two women and a man have not been released.

The 24 injured people were being treated at Mena Medical Center. The devastated downtown area was being protected by National Guard troops dispatched by Gov. Mike Beebe.

A curfew was in effect as emergency crews dealt with ruptured gas lines, downed power lines, fallen trees and heavily damaged buildings.

Reeves said he had never seen a storm like this hit the tornado-prone region.

"Not in my life time," he said. "The last tornado we had to hit the city of Mena was in November 1993. This time we had significant structures (hit)."

Officials described a chaotic scene Thursday night as the tornado struck, part of a line of severe storms that strafed parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri.

A state trooper in Mena called for assistance after his patrol car got stuck in the storm, pelted with debris and covered with power lines, state police spokesman Bill Sadler said.

"I'm in the middle of a tornado," Sadler said the trooper reported.

The National Weather Service reported that 3-inch diameter hail — forecasters described it as apple-sized — fell south of Mena just before the tornado hit downtown. Tornado damage was also reported at Ink, 5 miles east of Mena.

A twister damaged chicken houses in Howard County and another storm damaged an oil rig in Miller County, near the Louisiana and Texas state lines. At DeQueen, a number of mobile homes were damaged, according to Renee Preslar, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Emergency Management.

Violent thunderstorms moved quickly across southern Missouri, carrying large hail, winds up to 60 and 70 mph and reports of funnel clouds and tornadoes. There were no immediate reports of heavy damage. Scattered power outages were reported in several counties.

As the storms moved east, hail and high winds were reported in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. Power was out in many parts of the region.

Why Some People Don't Heed Weather Warnings

2009-04-07T12:19:00.000-07:00

NOAA’s National Weather Service has issued a report that analyzes forecasting performance and public response during the second deadliest February tornado outbreak in U.S. history. The report, Service Assessment of the Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of February 5-6, 2008, also addresses a key area of concern: why some people take cover while others ride out severe weather.

High resolution (Credit: NOAA)

Dubbed the “Super Tuesday” tornado outbreak due to the presidential primary elections held that day, 82 tornadoes raked nine states throughout the South, killing 57 people, injuring 350 others and causing $400 million in property damage.

Jack Hayes, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service, included a researcher from the National Center for Atmospheric Research Societal Impacts Program on the assessment team to examine why many people did not take action to protect themselves.

In reviewing the public response, the team found that two-thirds of the victims were in mobile homes, and 60 percent did not have access to safe shelter (i.e., a basement or storm cellar). The majority of the survivors interviewed for the assessment sought shelter in the best location available to them, but most of them also did not have access to a safe shelter. Some indicated they thought the threat was minimal because February is not within traditional tornado season. Several of those interviewed said they spent time seeking confirmation and went to a safe location only after they saw a tornado. Many people minimized the threat of personal risk through “optimism bias,” the belief that such bad things only happen to other people.

High resolution (Credit: NOAA)

“Protecting life and property is not as simple as issuing a forecast,” Hayes said. “A number of barriers often deter people from making risk-averse decisions, and we want to learn all we can to determine if there is more the National Weather Service can do to change this.”

On forecasting performance, the assessment team found that the National Weather Service issued warnings 17 minutes, on average, in advance of all the deadly tornadoes. The agency’s Storm Prediction Center had been monitoring the tornado threat for several days. Local forecast offices forewarned communities by issuing hazardous weather outlooks days in advance.

High resolution (Credit: NOAA)

After interviewing local media and citizens in the stricken areas, the assessment team determined that local communities had received the warnings and were aware of the dangerous weather threat. People reported receiving tornado warning information through multiple sources, such as television news stations, sirens, NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards or by word of mouth. People indicated overall satisfaction with National Weather Service performance in forecasting the tornadoes and communicating the danger.

According to the assessment team’s recommendation, the National Weather Service will improve wording and call-to-action statements to more effectively convey the urgency and danger of the message. The agency also will continue using social science research in future service assessments to further understand people’s interpretation of and response to severe weather situations, and to improve public response to severe weather communication.

Use of societal impact studies is useful for weather phenomena other than tornadoes. In September 2008 dozens of people died when Hurricane Ike struck Galveston, Texas, even after the weather forecast office in Houston issued a dire warning to residents to heed evacuation orders.

The National Weather Service routinely conducts assessments of agency performance during severe weather events in an effort to improve operations and determine best practices. Within days after the weather event, the agency sends a team into the field to interview citizens, emergency managers, the media, and others in affected areas. The team then compiles all findings and develops an assessment report, which contains analyses of the local Weather Service forecast office’s performance in forecasting the weather and communicating the public safety threat. Best practices and recommendations are shared throughout the agency to improve performance during future severe weather events.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.

2009-04-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

This training is not part of the CERT program, but may be of interest to some of you.

The purpose of this program is to demonstrate how to create and maintain a collaborative partnership between the community leaders / members and public safety personnel. The course will be an active participant program.

The program is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th, 2009 from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

Location: First United Methodist Church; 200 S. Church Street

Seating is limited to 45 participants - RSVP to 731-423-6000

Breakfast, Lunch and afternoon snack provided at no cost to participants.

Emergency Response Teams: Why Businesses and Schools Need Them

2009-03-19T08:38:00.000-07:00

By Wayne Bennett, President of Survival Skills Company

In a large scale disaster, Emergency Services will be delayed or unavailable. The employees at your site will become "spontaneous responders". When the employees are confronted with the realities of a disaster such as an earthquake, they will be forced to make any decisions very quickly. Emergency Response training will give them the knowledge and the skills to make the right decisions.

The Emergency Response Teams in businesses and schools should receive training in the areas of Light Search and Rescue, Triage, Disaster First Aid, Fire and Utility Control. The early intervention of trained employees will not only save lives but reduce property losses in both large and small scale emergencies.

Light Search and Rescue training will enable the Response Team member to perform an organized search effort to safely remove untrapped and trapped victims without causing harm to themselves or the victim.

Triage and Disaster First Aid techniques will allow the rescuers to manage an overwhelming number of injured victims by evaluating and prioritizing their treatment as the professionals do in mass casualty incidents.

All team members should learn to use a fire extinguisher. All fires start small. With extinguishers already in place a trained employee could be a real solution to a serious problem.The failure to control utilities quickly following a disaster could have a tragic effect on the outcome of your emergency.

The key to success will be having a cross section of your organization equipped and trained to handle and manage the chaos that awaits them. They will be the backbone of the initial rescue effort and begin the process of recovery.

Jackson State Community College CERT Team II

2009-03-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

Jackson State Community College in Jackson, TN is fielding their second CERT team. This CERT Team is a continuation of the JSCC CERT program to train as many faculty and staff as possible to repond to an emergency or disaster on campus.

The first CERT Team was trained in August of 2008. With this new Team, Jackson State Community College will have 30+ trained faculty and staff CERT members.

JSCC CERT Program Director, Leah Gray, has done an outstanding job of recruiting and traing these CERT Teams. Instructors for this class included:

Leah Gray - JSCC; James Woulfe - Madsion Co. Health Department; Alan Pitmann - JSCC; Gina Pearson - JSCC; George Conner - Jackson Fire Department; Alan Castleman - Madison Co. Sherrif's Department and Thomas Reeves - Jackson Fire Department.

This Team will complete their training sometime in mid-April.

Congratualtions to all participants of the CERT program. Your dedication and efforts make your workplace and community a much safer place.

G. Michael Winslow, CERT Coordinator
Jackson-Madison Co. EMA
TN Homeland Security - District 10

Check Your Emergency Preparedness Kits

2009-03-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

Currently the United States is in the midst of one of the largest food recalls in American history. As Americans dig through their cabinets and refrigerators to remove potentially contaminated food associated with the recent peanut recall, we would like to also remind citizens to open and check their Emergency Preparedness Kits to remove any potentially harmful items from these also.

Because peanut products are often recommended as staples in Emergency Preparedness Kits due to their long shell life and because they are a good source of protein, we encourage all kit owners to look at their kits to ensure food products are not on the peanut recall list. Please keep in mind that the peanut product recall extends beyond peanut-flavored products. The following are some examples of foods also included in the recall that may contain peanuts:

Granola
Snack bars
Crackers
Cereal
Trail Mix
Cookies
Noodles
Dog treats

A full list of recalled peanut products and what individuals should do with recalled items can be found on the Food and Drug Administration’s Web site, http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm.

In addition to checking for peanut-related items, please be sure to check for other items in your kit that may have expired, including medications, food and pet food, water, and other recalled items. The U.S. government provides information on unsafe, hazardous, or defective products ranging from consumer products, food, medicine, and cosmetics at www.recalls.gov.

Ensuring family and neighbors are prepared is an essential step in helping communities during and after an emergency. Families should have an Emergency Preparedness Kit in all locations that are frequented often, including homes, offices, schools, cars and day care facilities. These kits should hold a variety of essential items that are needed during a disaster, such as a flashlight, radio, cash, clothing, protective equipment, medicines, and of course food and water. For a complete list of Emergency Preparedness Kit recommended items, please visit http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/supplykit.shtm.

Citizen Corps Councils and Partners: Councils and partners should remind their communities about the importance of maintaining and constructing an Emergency Preparedness Kit and consider hosting public preparedness training sessions to ensure that information about kits is reaching the community. In addition, Councils and partners should consider adding a link to the FDA Web sites along with information on the recall on peanut products to any Web pages or documents that refer to community preparedness or Emergency Preparedness Kit preparation.

Northside Assembly CERT Exercise

2009-02-28T12:52:00.000-08:00

On Saturday February 28th, 2009 the Northside Assembly Church CERT Team conducted the final exercise of their initial CERT training. The exercise took place and the Jackson Fire Department Training Center in Jackson, TN.

Fifteen CERT members from Northside Assembly of God Church of Jackson, TN and four CERT members from the Medical Support Command participated in the exercise and completed their basic CERT Training. Two MSC Cadets participated as 'victims' during the Search and Rescue portion of the training.

Congratulations to all participants on their accomplishment.

A special thank you is deserved by the dedicated volunteer instructor cadre for the Tennessee Homeland Security District 10 CERT Program. Instructors who assisted in the training of this team included:

James Woulfe (Madison Co Health Dept); Thomas Reeves (Jackson Fire Department); Leah Gray (Jackson State Community College); Marty Clements (Jackson-Madison Co EMA); Alan Castleman (Madison Co Sherrif Department); Bobby Smith (Jackson State Community College); Greg Flanagan; Scott Mizen and Ray Lipford (Medical Support Command).

Without our dedicated and expert instructors, the CERT Program would not be possible.

TEMA Emergency Communications Drill

2009-02-26T08:51:00.001-08:00

On Thursday February 26th from 8 am to 10 am, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and Tennessee Homeland Security conducted an emergency communications exercise. The purpose of this exercise was to make contact with every county Emergency Operations Center in West Tennessee.The Tennessee Homeland Security District 10 CERT Teams participated in this drill. Each team leader attempted contact, by any mode of communication available, with as many of their team members possible. The CERT Team Leader then passed the number of contacts made to the Jackson-Madison Co. / District 10 CERT Coordinator. The CERT Coordinator then passed the information to the Jackson-Madison Co EMA via amateur radio which then passed the information to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency via amateur radio.

There were a total of four CERT Teams reporting in relaying 47 individual CERT Team member contacts:

Lambuth Area Neighborhood Association (LANA) - 7 check-ins
Northside Assembly CERT Team - 15 check-ins
Jackson State Community College CERT Team - 13 check-ins
Medical Support Command CERT Team - 12 check-ins

Congratulations on a job well done!

G. Michael Winslow, CERT Coordinator
Jackson-Madison County EMA
TN Homeland Security District 10
731-616-8599
gmwinslo@bellsouth.net

Small Arkansas Earthquakes Could Be A Warning

2008-11-29T18:38:00.000-08:00

By JON GAMBRELL

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A series of small earthquakes that rattled central Arkansas in recent weeks could be a sign of something much bigger to come.

By this weekend, seismologists hope to install three measurement devices to gather data about future temblors in the area. That information could show whether the rumbles come from heat-related geological changes or from an undiscovered fault — which could mean a risk of substantial earthquakes in the future.

"The potential for generating a high-magnitude earthquake is real," said Haydar Al-Shukri, director of the Arkansas Earthquake Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Five earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 2.2 to 2.7 have hit central Arkansas this month. Quakes with a magnitude of 2.5 to 3 are typically the smallest felt by people.

While hundreds of earthquakes occur each year, including several in Arkansas, the location of the recent ones give Al-Shukri pause. Arkansas quakes generally occur in the state's northeast corner, part of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, where three temblors with magnitudes of around 8 struck during the winter of 1812 and smaller ones continue today.

But central Arkansas does not have any seismic history, Al-Shukri said.

"It is abnormal. It is significant," he said. "We need to carefully watch this activity."

The area does not have any permanent seismograph, so researchers asked the University of Memphis in Tennessee if they could use its portable equipment. The nearest seismographs aren't close enough to provide the detailed readings scientists need to determine what could be causing the tremors or properly locate their origin, said Scott Ausbrooks, the geohazard supervisor for the Arkansas Geological Survey.

"I don't know if you've looked at a map of where these events are located, but they've got a scatter on them," he said. "We're thinking this is probably the inherited error built in when you try to locate events of this small a magnitude from that far away."

Ausbrooks said officials would install the three seismographs around Magnet Cove, a Hot Spring County community near where a magnitude-2.7 earthquake hit on Nov. 1. Residents told police dispatchers they heard what sounded like an explosion.

One possible culprit could be a hydrothermal quake, caused by extremely hot fluid pushing into rocks under the surface. The hot fluid percolates into the cracks of the rocks and causes movement, Al-Shukri said.

That theory matches the geologic history of the area. Central Arkansas is home to Hot Springs, a city that grew up around its namesake spas. The springs have 143-degree waters rushing to the surface continuously.

If that's the case, the earthquakes likely wouldn't pose a drastic danger to the area, Al-Shukri said. At their strongest, such quakes reach only a magnitude of 5, the U.S. Geological Survey's threshold for "moderate."

However, if the earthquakes are caused by a previously unknown fault, that could mean a much more powerful temblor in the future. A recently discovered fault in eastern Arkansas near Marianna caused an earthquake with a magnitude of between 7.2 and 7.5 in the past 5,000 years, Al-Shukri said. That could cause widespread, heavy damage.

"Now, it's not active, but in geologist time, that's yesterday," he said.

Ausbrooks wouldn't speculate on what could be causing the earthquakes, saying he wanted to see what data the seismographs capture. However, he acknowledged an unknown fault could be running through the area.

"There are numerous faults across the state, both known and unknown," Ausbrooks said. "This area has got a lot of faults associated with it from the mountain building of the Ouachitas, but they're considered inactive."

“Now’s the Time. Resolve to be Ready in 2009”

2008-11-25T14:12:00.001-08:00

By Erin Streeter, Director, Ready Campaign

Planning is a daily part of our routine. We plan our holiday activities, weekend activities and grocery store visits. We plan our children’s schedules and daily tasks. And, without a doubt, endless lists often follow. There is one particular list that deserves to be checked twice – and it’s not your holiday shopping list. We’re talking about reviewing your emergency preparedness checklist and developing an emergency preparedness plan for your family.

The Ready Campaign encourages you to take a few extra minutes at the beginning of this new year to plan in case of an emergency. Consider the following questions: Have you spoken to your children’s schools about their shelter-in-place and/or evacuation plans?; Do you know the evacuation plan at work?; If your cell phone was inoperable how would you get in touch with your family?; Do you have a family meeting place and an out-of-town contact? These are just a few of the questions you should consider as you are developing your emergency plan.

Free preparedness resources, such as a Family Emergency Plan template and an Emergency Supply Kit Checklist are just a click away at www.Ready.gov or www.listo.gov. The Ready Web site also has a special section for kids, ages 8-12, (Ready Kids) and small- to medium-sized businesses (Ready Business). Be sure to check it out – print out your emergency plan template and emergency supply kit list and begin planning with your family today.

Emergencies will happen, but taking action now can help us minimize the impact they will have on our lives. Remember, Now’s the Time. Resolve to be Ready in 2009.

PREPAREDNESS TIPS

For Families:

Get an emergency supply kit. Be sure to consider additional items to accommodate family members’ special needs:

Prescription medications and glasses
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food, extra water for your pet, leash and collar
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Make sure your family has a plan in case of an emergency. Before an emergency happens, sit down together and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go and what you will do in an emergency.

Determine a neighborhood meeting place, a regional meeting place and an evacuation location.
Identify an out-of-town emergency contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact is important to help communicate among separated family members. Be sure every member of your family knows the out-of-town phone number and has coins or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. You may have trouble getting through, or the telephone system may be down altogether, but be patient.
You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time, such as a place of employment. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one.

Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together in the event of an emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite your family and loved ones during an emergency if you think ahead and communicate with others in advance.

For Parents:

If you are a parent, or guardian of an elderly or disabled individual, make sure schools and care providers have emergency response plans:

· Ask how they will communicate with families during a crisis.

· Ask if they store adequate food, water and other basic supplies.

· Find out if they are prepared to "shelter-in-place" if need be, and where they plan to go if they must get away.

For Workplaces:

Take a critical look at your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to determine if it is secure or if it could feasibly be upgraded to better filter potential contaminants, and be sure you know how to turn it off if you need to.
Think about what to do if your employees can't go home.
Make sure you have appropriate supplies on-hand.

For Communities:

Find out what kinds of disasters, both natural and man-made, are most likely to occur in your area and how you will be notified. Methods of getting your attention vary from community to community. One common method is to broadcast via emergency radio and TV broadcasts. You might hear a special siren, or get a telephone call, or emergency workers may go door-to-door. Contact a nearby Citizen Corps Council for help with emergency planning, or work with your local government and emergency management office to help start a Council in your area. Visit citizencorps.gov to find local Councils or learn how to start one in your community.

For additional tips and information, visit www.ready.gov

Credit Card Fraud on the Rise

2008-11-24T03:55:00.000-08:00

The following has little or nothing to do with emergency preparedness, but I thought it useful information for the upcoming holiday shopping season.

GMW

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Fraud Alert from the Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about a new type of gift card fraud. Criminals have figured out a way to take advantage of unactivated gift card displays that many stores have set up. They jot down the card number, then wait a few days and call the card's 800-number to find out whether it's been activated, or how much money is on the account. Then, they shop online using the gift card's number.

"It's just like cash and if anyone gets their hands on the number it can be used," says Southern Colorado Better Business Bureau President Carol O'Dell.

The BBB says this type of gift card fraud is occurring, on average, about five times a day nationwide.

"What the scammers are doing is they are taking those gift cards off the racks, recording the numbers off the back of the card, hanging the gift cards back up, and they hope somebody will pick that up and take it to the cashier, activate it, and then what they do is they call the 800 number within a few days and see if the card's been activated," said Jim Hegerty of the Omaha BBB. "If it is, they go on a free shopping spree."

How to Protect Yourself From Gift Card Fraud

Gift cards can be a safe bet if you follow some simple precautions.

"Caution is the word here," Hegerty said.

Some easy tips to avoid gift card fraud include:

Don't buy gift cards that are located on displays the public can access, or that have all their security codes visible (even if they come from behind the counter).
Look for gift cards that have scratch-off security codes. If it has been scratched off, don't buy the card and report it to the store's manager.
Don't buy gift cards from online auction sites, which may be selling stolen or empty cards. Purchase gift cards online only from known, reputable retailers, or go to the actual store to get them.
Anytime you buy a gift card, call the 800-number to check the balance soon after you get home. You can also ask the cashier to scan the card immediately after you buy it to ensure the balance is correct.
Keep your receipt for the gift card in case of problems

General Information About Terrorism

2008-11-22T04:48:00.000-08:00

Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the United States for purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom.

Terrorists often use threats to:

* Create fear among the public.
* Try to convince citizens that their government is powerless to prevent terrorism.
* Get immediate publicity for their causes.

Acts of terrorism include threats of terrorism; assassinations; kidnappings; hijackings; bomb scares and bombings; cyber attacks (computer-based); and the use of chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological weapons.

High-risk targets for acts of terrorism include military and civilian government facilities, international airports, large cities, and high-profile landmarks. Terrorists might also target large public gatherings, water and food supplies, utilities, and corporate centers. Further, terrorists are capable of spreading fear by sending explosives or chemical and biological agents through the mail.

Within the immediate area of a terrorist event, you would need to rely on police, fire, and other officials for instructions. However, you can prepare in much the same way you would prepare for other crisis events.

General Safety Guidelines:

* Be aware of your surroundings.

* Move or leave if you feel uncomfortable or if something does not seem right.

* Take precautions when traveling. Be aware of conspicuous or unusual behavior. Do not accept packages from strangers. Do not leave luggage unattended. You should promptly report unusual behavior, suspicious or unattended packages, and strange devices to the police or security personnel.

* Learn where emergency exits are located in buildings you frequent. Plan how to get out in the event of an emergency.

* Be prepared to do without services you normally depend on—electricity, telephone, natural gas, gasoline pumps, cash registers, ATMs, and Internet transactions.

* Work with building owners to ensure the following items are located on each floor of the building:

o Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries.
o Several flashlights and extra batteries.
o First aid kit and manual.
o Hard hats and dust masks.
o Fluorescent tape to rope off dangerous areas.

Government warns of "catastrophic" U.S. quake

2008-11-21T05:49:00.000-08:00

Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:42pm EST

By Carey Gillam

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - People in a vast seismic zone in the southern and midwestern United States would face catastrophic damage if a major earthquake struck there and should ensure that builders keep that risk in mind, a government report said on Thursday.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said if earthquakes strike in what geologists define as the New Madrid Seismic Zone, they would cause "the highest economic losses due to a natural disaster in the United States."

FEMA predicted a large earthquake would cause "widespread and catastrophic physical damage" across Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee -- home to some 44 million people.

Tennessee is likely to be hardest hit, according to the study that sought to gauge the impact of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in order to guide the government's response.

In Tennessee alone, it forecast hundreds of collapsed bridges, tens of thousands of severely damaged buildings and a half a million households without water.

Transportation systems and hospitals would be wrecked, and police and fire departments impaired, the study said.

The zone, named for the town of New Madrid in Missouri's southeast corner, is subject to frequent mild earthquakes.

Experts have long tried to predict the likelihood of a major quake like those that struck in 1811 and 1812. These shifted the course of the Mississippi River and rang church bells on the East Coast but caused few deaths amid a sparse population.

"People who live in these areas and the people who build in these areas certainly need to take into better account that at some time there is ... expected to be a catastrophic earthquake in that area, and they'd better be prepared for it," said FEMA spokesperson Mary Margaret Walker.

What to Do After an Earthquake

2008-11-20T16:49:00.000-08:00

Expect aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures and can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.
Listen to a battery-operated radio or television. Listen for the latest emergency information.
Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
Stay away from damaged areas. Stay away unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organizations. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal areas. These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called "tidal waves"). When local authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is on the way. Stay away from the beach.
Help injured or trapped persons. Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance such as infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.
Inspect the entire length of chimneys for damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire.
Inspect utilities.
- Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
- Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
- Check for sewage and water lines damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.

What To Do During An Earthquake

2008-11-19T13:28:00.000-08:00

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If indoors

DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON on until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.
Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
DO NOT use the elevators.

If outdoors

Stay there.
Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris

Do not light a match.
Do not move about or kick up dust.
Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

What to Do Before an Earthquake

2008-11-18T13:14:00.000-08:00

Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake. Repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead lighting fixtures to the ceiling, and following local seismic building standards, will help reduce the impact of earthquakes.

Six Ways to Plan Ahead

Check for Hazards in the Home
- Fasten shelves securely to walls.
- Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
- Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches.
- Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit.
- Brace overhead light fixtures.
- Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.
- Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor.
- Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.
- Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.
Identify Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors
- Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table.
- Against an inside wall.
- Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.
- In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways.
Educate Yourself and Family Members
- Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on earthquakes. Also read the "How-To Series" for information on how to protect your property from earthquakes.
- Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
- Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
Have Disaster Supplies on Hand
- Flashlight and extra batteries.
- Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries.
- First aid kit and manual.
- Emergency food and water.
- Nonelectric can opener.
- Essential medicines.
- Cash and credit cards.
- Sturdy shoes.
Develop an Emergency Communication Plan
- In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster.
- Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
Help Your Community Get Ready
- Form or join a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- Publish a special section in your local newspaper with emergency information on earthquakes. Localize the information by printing the phone numbers of local emergency services offices, the American Red Cross, and hospitals.
- Conduct a week-long series on locating hazards in the home.
- Work with local emergency services and American Red Cross officials to prepare special reports for people with mobility impairments on what to do during an earthquake.
- Provide tips on conducting earthquake drills in the home.
- Interview representatives of the gas, electric, and water companies about shutting off utilities.
- Work together in your community to apply your knowledge to building codes, retrofitting programs, hazard hunts, and neighborhood and family emergency plans.

Prepare For Winter Storms

2008-11-16T08:01:00.000-08:00

Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold

Add the following supplies to your disaster supplies kit:

Rock salt to melt ice on walkways
Sand to improve traction
Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.

Prepare your home and family

Prepare for possible isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off. For example, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.
Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment. Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing.
Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends, neighbors or employees.
Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow - or water, if drains on flat roofs do not work.

Prepare your car

Check or have a mechanic check the following items on your car:
- Antifreeze levels - ensure they are sufficient to avoid freezing.
- Battery and ignition system - should be in top condition and battery terminals should be clean.
- Brakes - check for wear and fluid levels.
- Exhaust system - check for leaks and crimped pipes andrepair or replace as necessary. Carbon monoxide is deadly and usually gives no warning.
- Fuel and air filters - replace and keep water out of the system by using additives and maintaining a full tank of gas.
- Heater and defroster - ensure they work properly.
- Lights and flashing hazard lights - check for serviceability.
- Oil - check for level and weight. Heavier oils congeal more at low temperatures and do not lubricate as well.
- Thermostat - ensure it works properly.
- Windshield wiper equipment - repair any problems and maintain proper washer fluid level.
Install good winter tires. Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.
Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season.
Place a winter emergency kit in each car that includes:
- a shovel
- windshield scraper and small broom
- flashlight
- battery powered radio
- extra batteries
- water
- snack food
- matches
- extra hats, socks and mittens
- First aid kit with pocket knife
- Necessary medications
- blanket(s)
- tow chain or rope
- road salt and sand
- booster cables
- emergency flares
- fluorescent distress flag

Dress for the Weather

Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
Wear a hat.
Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

TEEN CERT Coming to District 10

2008-11-15T11:49:00.000-08:00

The Center for Regional and National Security (CeRNS) at Eastern Michigan University initiated a grant funded pilot project from Michigan Citizen Corp to develop, validate and initiate an education program targeting high school students teaching Disaster Preparedness and Response. The Teen Community Emergency Response Team (Teen CERT) Program educates students about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, Teen CERT members can assist others in their schools, neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. Teen CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

This 20 hour program focused on the following topics with hands on learning.

Topics include:

* Disaster Preparedness
* Fire Safety
* Disaster Medical Assistance Part 1
* Disaster Medical Assistance Part 2
* Light Search and Rescue Operations
* Disaster Psychology
* Terrorism
* Course Review and Disaster Simulation

The core Teen CERT program has three main goals. First, it will seek to provide students with a knowledge base on the effects of natural and man-made disasters and their emotional, social, and economic impacts. Secondly, it will aim to build decision-making and problem solving skills and strategies to help students make informed decisions regarding readiness, response & recovery and mitigation efforts to reduce loss of life and property. Lastly, an integral part of the Teen CERT program will be to provide students with hands-on training using reality-driven drills and exercises.

Training in disaster response should not be a one-time event. Awareness, commitment, and skills must be reinforced through follow-up training and repeated practice to maintain the edge necessary for effective response in the face of a disaster. Tomaintain your skill level and continually improve performance, you and your classmates should participate in continuing supplemental training when offered in your area. Working through practice disaster scenarios with other citizens will provide opportunities not only for extended practice, but for valuable networking with citizens in the local area.

The curriculum is not meant to replace those of previously established initiatives, rather it incorporates them in their entirety and focus on increasing knowledge and skill development in seven areas as they relate to disasters: 1) cognitive information, 2) recognizing hazards, 3) planning skills, 4) consequential thinking and risk taking, 5) team-building and communication skills, 6) decision making, 7) individual responsibilities within the community. Some of these lessons will focus on raising awareness in skill areas, while others emphasize their practical application.

The following CERT Instructors form Madison and Henderson Co attended a training class for TEEN CERT Instructors on November 14th - 16th at the Nashville Fire Academy and Training Center in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

Marty Clements - Jackson-Madison Co EMA
Leah Gray - Jackson State Community College
Scott Mizen - Medical Support Command
Scott Parrish - LANA Cert Team

We are seeking additional TEEN CERT Instructors to help with this program.

Teen CERT works and should your school want to participate please contact us for further information:

G. Michael Winslow - CERT Coordinator
Jackson-Madison County EMA
District 10 Tennessee Homeland Security

731-427-1271
731-616-8599 cell

gmwinslo@bellsouth.net

Bell Mead Neighborhood Watch Public Event

2008-11-02T15:37:00.001-08:00

Jackson-Madison Co. CERT had a joint public information display on Sunday afternoon Nov. 1 along with the Jackson-Madison County Emergency Management Agency. The event, held at Liberty Park, was well attended and with weather was perfect.

There were many questions about CERT and the Bell Mead neighborhood will begin working on a CERT class soon.

If your neighborhood or group is interested in a Community Emergency Response Team, please contact:

G. Michael Winslow, CERT Coordinator
Jackson-Madison Co. EMA
District 10 Homeland Security

731-427-1271
gmwinslo@bellsouth.net

CERT Public Information Event

2008-10-12T05:40:00.000-07:00

On Saturday October 11th, 2008, The Jackson-Madison County EMA Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program set up and operated a public information booth at the Lambuth Area Neighborhood Association Fall Harvest Arts Festival held on the front lawn of Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee.

The CERT Program was assisted by the West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society (WTARS) who had a Ham (Amateur Radio) station set up at the booth demonstrating emergency communications capabilities.

The event was well attended and the weather was perfect.

National Preparedness Month, 2008

2008-08-27T12:14:00.001-07:00

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

During National Preparedness Month, we underscore the important responsibility Americans have to be ready for emergencies in our homes, businesses, and communities.

The Department of Homeland Security's Ready campaign highlights preparedness steps, including having an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, and becoming informed about different types of emergencies. After preparing themselves and their families, Americans can take the next step and get involved in helping to prepare their communities for all types of emergencies. For more information, citizens may visit www.ready.gov and citizencorps.gov.

During National Preparedness Month, we also honor our Nation's police officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel for their hard work and commitment to protecting others. As first responders, they have demonstrated the true meaning of heroism by taking great risks to safeguard our communities, and all Americans are grateful for their efforts.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2008 as National Preparedness Month. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the importance of preparing for potential emergencies and to observe this month by participating in appropriate events, activities, and preparedness programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Jackson State Community College CERT

2008-08-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

Jackson State Community College became the first institution of higher learning in the Tennessee Homeland Security District 10 to form and train a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Members of the Jackson State faculty and staff underwent a rigorous 20 hour training course in disaster preparedness, first aid / triage, light search and rescue, small fire suppression, disaster psychology, terrorism and documentation. This was followed by a realistic drill on campus on Friday August 15th simulating an earthquake in the Classroom Building to test and hone the CERT Team's skills.

Leah Gray, JSCC Human Resources Director, organized the Jackson State CERT Team and their training. The CERT Program is part of the Department of Homeland Security Citizen Corps program and is administered in District 10 by the Jackson-Madison County Emergency Management Agency.

Leah and her team did a great job and as a result, Jackson State Community College is better prepared to deal with an emergency should one occur.

For more information about the CERT Team at Jackson State Community College, please contact Leah Gray at 731-424-3520 ext. 342.

If you are interested in more information about a CERT Team in the neighborhood where you live, please contact:

G. Michael Winslow, CERT Coordinator
Jackson-Madison County EMA
Tennessee Homeland Security District 10
731-616-8599
gmwinslo@bellsouth.net

FEMA close to adopting standard for emergency alerts

2008-08-06T05:16:00.001-07:00

The Federal Emergency Management Agency expects to adopt the Common Alerting Protocol 1.1 for the national emergency warning and alert system by early next year, FEMA officials said today.

The goal is to create a national infrastructure so digital messages can be sent seamlessly to televisions, radios, computer desktops and other elements of FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, said Lance Craver, program manager for the system.

“We are working with our partners to create the infrastructure and interoperability,” Craver said.

The protocol is an open-source technical standard developed by volunteers seven years ago. It was accepted by the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) in 2004, and later refined by that organization. It has been widely adopted among emergency managers and broadcasters as well as disaster managers at FEMA. It has long been anticipated that FEMA would make it an official standard.

Under law, participants in the Emergency Alert System (EAS), including broadcasters and emergency managers, will be required to be in compliance with the CAP 1.1 standard in 180 days after FEMA makes the standard official. One reason the process has been extended over time is to ensure that the participants are fully ready to take that step, said FEMA spokeswoman Mary-Margaret Walker.

Over the next six months, FEMA officials are working with several federal and industry partners, including OASIS, to clarify how certain optional parts of the CAP are to be used, and to iron out some interoperability issues, Craver said.

During that time, FEMA and its partners will be developing specific formats, or profiles, for messages to be shared in the EAS, Craver said. Additional formats may be created for specific types of emergencies, such as health care events or events that originate with a chemical sensor reading, he said.

FEMA, in conjunction with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is working on creating a testing structure so that vendors can evaluate whether their CAP messaging software and hardware products are aligned with the profiles and are interoperable with one another, Craver said.

“Arriving at standards and protocols that work for everyone is a complex process,” Martha Rainville, assistant administrator of FEMA’s National Continuity Programs Directorate, which oversees the warning system, said in a news release.

But FEMA intends to formally adopt and publish a profile in line with CAP 1.1 early next year. "We are working closely with partners across the government, private sector and nonprofit community to develop a CAP profile that ensures the interoperability needed to deliver alerts and warnings to more people in more locations through more paths,” Rainville said.

Do You Have A Weather Radio?

2008-08-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

Federal and state officials encourage people to stay tuned to their weather radio. Buying a National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio now could be a wise and affordable investment in a family's safety if severe weather threatens. A few extra dollars could buy a few extra minutes for a family to get out of harm's way.

During life-threatening weather conditions, NOAA Weather Radios send out a special alarm tone to signal a watch or warning alerting listeners to take appropriate safety measures. The signal transmits anytime day or night, even if a family is not listening to the broadcast. Early warning is critical because weather can quickly turn deadly.

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing comprehensive weather and emergency information.

In conjunction with federal, state, and local emergency managers and other public officials, NWR also broadcasts warnings and post-event information for all types of hazards - including natural events, such as earthquakes or avalanches; environmental events, such as chemical releases or oil spills; and public safety warnings, such as AMBER alerts or 911 telephone outages.

"A weather radio should be part of a well-stocked disaster kit," said Alec Watson, Acting Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Mississippi Transitional Recovery Office. "They are a valuable resource not just during hurricane season but throughout the year."

These all-hazards radios are equipped with various features including a choice of voice, siren or tone alert, full alarm clock display, emergency power back-up, seven NOAA channels, and Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) localized reception. With SAME technology, a radio can be programmed to sound an alert for specific counties.

Independent Study Course IS-317

2008-07-12T04:12:00.000-07:00

"Introduction to Community Emergency Response Teams", IS- 317, is an independent study course that serves as an introduction to CERT for those wanting to complete training or as a refresher for current team members. It has six modules with topics that include an Introduction to CERT, Fire Safety, Hazardous Material and Terrorist Incidents, Disaster Medical Operations, and Search and Rescue. It takes between six and eight hours to complete the course. Those successfully finishing it will receive a certification of completion and .8 CEU's from the Independent Study Office.

http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/training_mat.shtm

The IS-317 can be taken by anyone interested in CERT. However, to become a CERT volunteer, one must complete the classroom training offered by a local government agency such as the emergency management agency, fire or police department. Contact your local emergency manager to learn about the local education and training opportunities available to you. In Jackson-Madison County Tennessee, contact:

G. Michael Winslow, CERT Coordinator

Jackson-Madison County Emergency Management Agency

234 Institute Street

Jackson, TN 38305

731-427-1271 or ki4lmz@bellsouth.net

All current CERT Team Members and Instructors are encouraged to complete this course as a refresher and prospective CERT Members would benefit from this course prior to taking the required classes.

Shelter-In-Place

2008-07-02T16:52:00.001-07:00

WHY SHELTER-IN-PLACE?

· Emergency incidents in the community are rare. In the event of an incident, you can take effective measures to ensure your safety and that of your family.

· Despite all safety precautions, it is possible that an emergency occurring anywhere in the area could create irritating or hazardous conditions for those people in close proximity.

· Being inside provides you with added protection from hazards. Staying inside is safer than trying to leave the area.

· In case of an emergency do not listen to rumors. This pamphlet, a battery powered radio and/or TV will tell you what actions you need to take.

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR SHELTER-IN-PLACE?

· Seal your house so contaminants cannot enter.

· Identify switches to turn off all fans, heating, cooling or ventilation systems.

· Close and lock windows and doors.

· Fully extinguish fires in the fireplace with water then close dampers.

· Close off non-essential rooms such as storage areas, laundry rooms, and extra bedrooms.

· Seal gaps under doorways and windows.

· Seal window and air conditioning units, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, and stove and dryer vents.

· Have on hand an emergency readiness and first aid kit.

· Use phones (cellular as well) only when absolutely necessary. Emergency Services will need every available telephone line to initiate help and rescue operations.

· Close windows and vents, if you are in your car.

· Contact your children's school in advance so you know their emergency event procedures.

· Share this pamphlet with your neighbors.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SHELTER-IN-PLACE?

· When you hear the emergency sirens in your area (Note: These sirens are tested every Saturday at noon in the Memphis and Shelby County area), or

· If you see an unusual cloud or smell an unusual odor in your area, or

· When instructed by emergency personnel (fire and/or police).

· You should take steps to Shelter-In-Place. Immediately proceed to an enclosed structure - a house, building or vehicle.

· Don't forget children and pets. IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE IN SCHOOL, the teachers will be informed in the event of an emergency. You should not attempt to pick-up your children at their school; this would only cause confusion and could be dangerous for you and your children. If you know of elderly persons, handicapped individuals or unattended children in your neighborhood, advise them to remain indoors.

SHELTER

HOW TO SHELTER-IN-PLACE

· GO INSIDE

· Stay calm, immediately proceed to an enclosed structure - a house, building or vehicle.

SHUT

· SHUT ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS

· Cover any leaky areas, like those around doors and windows, with damp towels or sheets, or cover these areas with plastic sheeting and tape. Even a poorly sealed building or vehicle provides some protection in the event of an emergency.

· TURN OFF ALL FANS, HEATING, COOLING OR VENTILATION SYSTEMS

· Close all outside ventilation sources. Turn off air conditioners, heaters or ceiling fans. If you are inside and have trouble breathing, place a wet cloth or towel over your nose and mouth and try to breathe in quick shallow breaths.

LISTEN

· TURN ON BATTERY OPERATED RADIO AND/OR TV

· Do not tie up telephones, cellular phones or emergency phone lines. Emergency Services will need every available telephone line to initiate help and rescue operations.

· Remain in your home and listen to bulletins on TV or radio. The Emergency Broadcast System will act as the primary distribution of official information concerning the emergency. Wait for the ALL CLEAR. As soon as the hazard has passed the authorities will announce the all-clear signal over the radio or TV.

Propane Tank Alert

2008-06-26T04:05:00.001-07:00

For those of you who like to grill it up during the summer, here's a safety announcement you should be aware of. Please put this information out to ALL personnel. For those of you who exchange your propane tanks, this is something you definitely need to be aware of, especially in light of the recent news of 'Meth-labs' in our area. Meth cooks are getting propane tanks from exchanges at Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, etc. and emptying them of the propane.

Then, they are filling them with anhydrous ammonia (which they now have a recipe for by the way). After they are finished with them, they return them to the store. They are then refilled with propane and sent back for you and me to buy. Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank. It can be very dangerous when mixed with propane and hooked up to our grills, etc. You should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas. If it is present, refuse to purchase that tank. Check out the following website for more details. They also have pictures.

<http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=529 >

Americans Are Not Prepared for Emergencies, Expert Says

2008-06-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

Disaster is all around us these days, from the cyclone in Myanmar to the earthquake in China, not to mention the tornadoes and floods in the United States. So why aren’t most Americans ready for emergencies?

In an article in the Washington Post, emergency preparedness expert John D. Solomon says too many Americans are watching the devastation unfold in Asia “from relative safety and, if I had to guess, with a certain sense of complacency, a feeling that disaster on that scale isn't likely to happen to them. But it could.”

Solomon warns that even after 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, 93 percent of Americans still aren’t prepared for a natural disaster, pandemic or a terrorist attack. “This is troubling,” Solomon says, “because the more prepared a population is, the more effective the response to and recovery from a catastrophe will be.”

He also warns that readying the public for our 21st century emergencies might be one of the most complex socio-education challenges the nation has faced. In the article, Solomon offers 10 suggestions for helping make the public more prepared, including:

1. Make public preparedness a priority
2. Make preparedness part of 21st-century citizenship
3. Get back to the preparedness ethic from WWII and the Cold War
4. Increase public education
5. Teach children about preparedness
6. Try the carrot and the stick
7. Bring in business to help make the sale
8. Use 21st-century technology to prepare for 21st-century emergencies
9. Teach everyone the drill
10. Create a National Preparedness Day

CERT Final Exercise June 7, 2008

2008-06-07T17:14:00.000-07:00

Our latest CERT Class had their CERT Final Exercise on Saturday June 7th at the Jackson Fire Department Training Center. It was hot, dirty and sweaty...just right for a good emergency drill.

CERT Team Members received a safety briefing and instruction on small fire suppression from Terresia Reasons, Jackson Fire Department inside the Fire Training Center classroom before deploying to the back-lot for live fire suppression. CERT Members learned the different types of fire extinguishers for use with different types of fires. Terrisia Reasons and George Conner were the coach/instructors for the fire suppression drill.

After fire suppression, CERT Members were instructed on the proper use of 'cribbing' in the extraction of an injured victim from under a fallen object, such as a wall or collapsed part of a building. Cribbing is used to support and lift the object off the victim safely for both the victim and the CERT Team. Alan Castleman, Madison County Sheriff's Department was the coach and instructor for this part of the exercise.

Following fire suppression and cribbing, the CERT Team performed a 'Search & Rescue' and Triage and Medical Treatment drill. "Victims" were staged with various injuries, located in a training house built for the purpose and extracted by CERT Members and taken to a Triage area for treatment by the medical team. Alan Castleman and Don Friddle, Jackson Fire Department served and coach instructors for this part of the Final.

All CERT Members got a chance to participate in all phases of the exercise.

Congratulations and thanks to all who completed the Final Drill for CERT, and many thanks to the dedicated and hardworking volunteer instructors for the important program.

G. Michael Winslow
CERT Coordinator
Jackson-Madison Co. EMA
Tennessee Homeland Security / District 10

May 30-31 CERT Class

2008-05-31T07:04:00.000-07:00

The Jackson-Madison EMA / District 10 hosted its latest CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Class at the Emergency Operations Center in Jackson, TN. Participants from throughout West Tennessee were in attendance, mostly from the Carl Perkins Center Exchange Club AmeriCore Program.

The CERT Candidates were instructed in various topic, including:

Disaster Preparation
Search & Rescue
Hazardous Materials
Terrorism
Disaster Psychology
Emergency Communications
Disaster Medical
Triage / Bandages
CERT Organization

These CERT Candidates will complete their training on June 7, 2008 at the Jackson Fire Department Training Center near the Fairgrounds. Here they will put through a field exercise including live fire suppression, Search and Rescue, Disaster First Aid and Triage.

General Emergency Preparedness

2008-05-15T04:55:00.001-07:00

General Preparedness

Generally, there are things you can do to prepare for most all emergencies. The Jackson-Madison County Emergency Management Agency encourages individuals and families to plan ahead by doing the following:

• Write a plan. Writing a plan formalizes ideas and sets up a uniform way of responding to an emergency. Organized action is important. In an emergency, seconds can save lives. People do what they practice, and in the confused aftermath of a disaster, instinct brought about by practice takes over.

• Make a plan for fire, power outages, tornado, flood, earthquakes and other disasters which threaten you. Involve each person in your family, no matter what their age or ability. Plan in advance. Practice the plan and follow the plan when the emergency presents itself.

• At home, prepare for each family member a Grab-and-Go Kit with a 3-day supply of food, water, clothes, medicine, baby items, etc. If you evacuate your home, it keeps you self sufficient until your family is reassembled and settled.

• Establish a rendezvous point just outside the home (the mail box, for example, where everyone meets and counts heads after leaving the house because of a fire). This allows quick identification of who is missing-vital information for rescuers.

• Also establish a meeting place 1-2 miles from home (a friend's or relative's house, for example, where family members can assemble if access to their home is impossible because of destruction and danger). It may be unlikely that both places will be affected by the same disaster and this immediately gives your family a place to assemble. Also, it is not too far to walk.

• Designate an out-of-town family member who can contact other relatives. A central contact can call the many distant relatives who otherwise would all be trying to call the devastated area. Phone systems may be damaged, and after disasters they are typically overloaded for days. Try to establish contact with your designated out-of town family member and let them know how you are doing, so they can pass this information on to others that will worry about your well-being.

• Get a NOAA Weather Radio, first aid supplies & flashlight with batteries. Safeguard vital records, keys, cash, credit cards, etc. Keep emergency supplies and equipment in your car.

• If you do not have to evacuate your home, make sure that you have a phone available that plugs into a telephone jack into the wall. If you have no electrical power, your cordless phones will not work. Make certain that you have the ability to communicate with the outside world, especially emergency response agencies.

• Include in your plan the purchase of insurance. Some individuals devastated by the 1989 tornado which hit the City of Huntsville did not have insurance and consequently lost their homes, businesses, and their possessions. Apartment dwellers can even get insurance. It is also a good idea to maintain an inventory of your belongings via photographs, video camera, or a written list. Put your inventory information in a safe place such as a bank box or vault. If you live in an area that typically floods, you may consider getting flood insurance. For more details about the National Flood Insurance Program, you may contact your insurance agent.

• After a disaster, account for your family; check on your neighbors; render aid as needed; and notify authorities. Assemble your family; reestablish a safe physical/emotional home environment and notify/reassure relatives.