InfoGram 24-12: June 14, 2012

This InfoGram will be distributed weekly to provide members of the Emergency Services Sector with information concerning the protection of their critical infrastructures. For further information, contact the Emergency Management and Response - Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) at (301) 447-1325 or by email at emr-isac@fema.dhs.gov.

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>Mass Fatalities and EMS Response

According to a variety of sources, a mass-fatality incident can most simply be defined as an incident where there are more deaths than can be handled by local resources.  This basic definition is applicable in any size community, and while many people may think of major events like earthquakes or long heat waves as a mass-fatality event, it could just as easily be a pile-up on the highway.

An article on emergency medical services (EMS) response to mass fatalities in EMSWorld Magazine discusses the planning process with other local offices and departments on how to manage such an incident.  The article offers steps that can be taken during the planning process with other local offices and departments in order to chart out the handling of mass-fatality incidents.

Fatality management raises many logistical questions to be answered before such an incident.  As another article in EMSWorld states: “What happens when there are more fatalities than victims? Who in your jurisdiction is the lead agency in a mass fatality incident? What is the "benchmark" to declare a mass fatality incident? What then becomes the role of local responders? These are just a few items that need to be addressed in your planning.”

(Source: EMSWorld.com)

Urban Forestry Management for Public Works

The American Public Works Association (APWA) has developed a program to help urban public works departments mitigate storm water runoff through maintenance of wooded areas in cities while minimizing wind damage to the trees.  The Urban Forestry for Public Works site contains four reports, an audio presentation, and handouts that make suggestions based on the best practices learned from urban areas around the country.  A list of resource websites and a literature review are also available.

The report Urban Forest Management Plan (PDF, 3.33 MB) discusses having Tree Risk Reduction and Emergency Storm Response Plans: “A comprehensive urban forest management program greatly reduces storm hazards through proper planting, preventive maintenance, and systematic risk reduction.  However, when disasters occur, an emergency plan as an addendum to this plan can provide solid data, facts, and protocols to assure service continuity and timely recovery and restoration.”

Wooded areas in cities offer many benefits including increased property value, shade and beauty, and an overall improved environment and quality of life.  The Urban Forestry for Public Works site argues that such a beneficial component of a city requires an investment of time, money, and resources to maintain it.

(Source: APWA)

Fire Adapted Communities Campaign

The U.S. Forest Service has announced the launch of a public service advertising (PSA) campaign.  Fire Adapted Communities was developed in partnership with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Ad Council to increase awareness among communities in fire-prone areas that they should prepare before wildfires occur.  “The more proactive actions a community takes, the more fire adapted it becomes.”

The program resources section is broken down into four areas:

• Protect what matters – talks about wildfire threats to home and family; neighborhood; business and infrastructure; and parks and public lands.
• Know your region – information on the Northeast, Southeast, and West regions and how wildfire has impacted each in different ways.
• Know your role – homeowners; emergency responders; land or forestry managers; and community leaders.
• Info and Resources – includes key topics for discussion; FAQs; media and outreach information; and funding possibilities.

The Fire Adapted Communities program is being distributed to media outlets nationwide this month in advertising time and space donated by the media.  Community officials are encouraged to access the resources available through the online toolkit to promote the ad campaign to their communities and local media.

(Source: Fire Adapted Communities)

National Fire Academy Regional Offerings

The National Fire Academy (NFA), located in Emmitsburg, MD, offers courses at the regional level to help support fire service members who cannot attend classes on campus.  NFA’s 2-, 6-, and 10-day courses are organized and delivered jointly with State and local fire training systems to advance professional development in the fire service.

The 6- and 10-day regionally-offered courses are identical to courses normally taught at NFA's resident facility and provide the opportunity for fire service professionals to attend the courses closer to home.  NFA provides two instructors per course and all training materials.  Two-day courses delivered regionally provide shorter training opportunities within the State and local communities.  Courses are selected and co-sponsored jointly by NFA and State and local fire training. 

The regional contact person is listed with each course.  More information about courses available in Emmitsburg or online can be found on the NFA web page.

(Source: USFA)