Natural Hazards Observer
| July 2005 | Volume XXIX | Number 6 |
NOAA Expects Another Above-Normal Atlantic Hurricane Season
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hurricane forecasters have predicted another above-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic in 2005, a continuation of above-average activity that began in 1995. The prediction is for 12 to 15 tropical storms, with 7 to 9 becoming hurricanes, of which 3 to 5 could become major hurricanes. An update to the Atlantic hurricane outlook will be issued in early August, just prior to the season’s historical peak from late August through October.
In contrast, NOAA’s outlooks for the Eastern and Central Pacific predict below-normal hurricane seasons. The Eastern Pacific can expect 11-15 tropical storms, with 6 to 8 becoming hurricanes, of which 2 to 4 may become major hurricanes. Two or three tropical cyclones are projected for the Central Pacific.
For more information, visit the Climate Prediction Center at http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/, NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division at http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/, the National Hurricane Center at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/, and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center at http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/.
Law Makes FEMA Mitigation Grants Tax-Free
On April 15, the president signed Public Law 109-7, making mitigation grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) tax-free. Prior to passage of this law, these grants were considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service. This tax code change applies to mitigation grants past, present, and future.
The complete text of Public Law 109-7 is available in any federal repository library and on the Library of Congress Web site at http://thomas.loc.gov/.
NIMS Compliant ICS Training Guidelines
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) Integration Center (NIC) has developed guidelines for Incident Command System (ICS) training providers to help ensure that their training meets NIMS requirements and is consistent with the concepts, principles, and characteristics of the NIMS ICS training offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) training entities and the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).
The NIMS National Standard Curriculum: Training Development Guidance (2005, 26 pp.) outlines NIMS ICS concepts and principles, management characteristics, organizations and operations, organizational element titles, and recommendations for a model curriculum. It also provides an evaluation checklist that may be used to make sure ICS training meets the “as taught by DHS” standard. The guidance is available at http://www.fema.gov/pdf/nims/nims_training_development.pdf.
The model NIMS ICS curriculum organizes four levels of training: ICS-100, Introduction to ICS; ICS-200, Basic ICS; ICS-300, Intermediate ICS; and ICS-400, Advanced ICS. ICS training provided by the Emergency Management Institute (EMI), the National Fire Academy (NFA), the NWCG, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Coast Guard follow this model.
According to the NIC, emergency management and response personnel already ICS trained do not need retraining if their previous training is consistent with the DHS standard. This would include courses managed, administered, or delivered by the EMI, NFA, NWCG, USDA, EPA, or the U.S. Coast Guard.
For more information about NIMS ICS, e-mail NIMS-Integration-Center@dhs.gov or call (202) 646-3850.
USGS Announces Framework for National Volcano Early Warning System
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released an assessment of the nation’s volcano monitoring needs based on a comprehensive and systematic review of the 169 geologically active U.S. volcanoes. The report, An Assessment of Volcanic Threat and Monitoring Capabilities in the United States: Framework for a National Volcano Early Warning System (2005, 62 pp.), ranks U.S. volcanoes that pose a threat to human lives, property, and aviation safety and discusses monitoring gaps at each volcano. According to the report, since 1980, 45 eruptions and 15 cases of notable volcanic unrest have occurred at 33 U.S. volcanoes. About half of the most threatening U.S. volcanoes are monitored at a basic level and a few are well monitored with a suite of modern instruments. Monitoring capabilities at many hazardous volcanoes are sparse or antiquated, and some hazardous volcanoes have no ground-based monitoring whatsoever.
Based on the threats and monitoring capabilities of each individual volcano, which determined their ranking, the USGS Volcano Hazards Program and the Consortium of U.S. Volcano Observatories (CUSVO) are collaborating on a National Volcano Early Warning System (NVEWS). In addition to closing the identified monitoring gaps, the NVEWS calls for a Volcano Watch Office that will operate around the clock seven days a week to improve forecasting and alerting capabilities and serve as the authoritative source on volcanic activity.
This report provides a framework for the implementation of the NVEWS. The USGS Volcano Hazards Program plans to convene workshops with key stakeholders, including federal agencies, state and county emergency management agencies, the CUSVO, businesses, and private organizations to review and refine the framework.
Read the report at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1164/ or, for a hardcopy, contact the USGS Publications Warehouse at (888) 275-8747; http://infotrek.er.usgs.gov/pubs/.
Law Includes Strengthening of U.S. Tsunami Warning Capabilities
On May 11, the president signed into law the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005 (Public Law 109-13), which includes $17.24 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to support the expansion and enhancement of NOAA tsunami warning capabilities and $8.1 million for the U.S. Geological Survey to accelerate improvements of its seismic monitoring capabilities and information delivery systems. Additionally, the new law provides $656 million for tsunami recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the Indian Ocean. The complete text of Public Law 109-13 is available in any federal repository library and on the Library of Congress Web site at http://thomas.loc.gov/.
NOAA Storm Tracker Follows Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
In response to a deluge of visitors to its Web sites during the 2004 hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has introduced a new way to follow specific tropical storms or hurricanes. Once a storm is deemed a threat, NOAA Storm Tracker will offer links to associated advisories, tracking maps, satellite images, and more.
This Web tool opens in a new and smaller browser window, which can be resized and placed anywhere on a computer desktop, allowing the user to continue working while keeping track of a storm. Find out more and access the tracking tool at http://www.stormtracker.noaa.gov/.
FEMA Web Site Now Features Public Affairs News Desk and Updated Photo Library
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has launched a new Web page for its Public Affairs News Desk. “In the News” features facts on emerging issues, official statements, background material, and downloadable high-resolution photos. The Web page provides the latest information on what FEMA is doing in the areas of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Visit “In the News” at http://www.fema.gov/media/. For more information, contact FEMA-News-Desk@dhs.gov.
In addition to this new feature, FEMA has updated its online photo library, a collection of more than 9,200 images of natural disasters and terrorist events, including response and recovery activities, taken by FEMA’s disaster photographers. The majority of photographs in the collection are in the public domain and may be downloaded, reproduced, and distributed for educational and informational purposes without further permission from FEMA. Copyrighted photographs are indicated as such and require permission for use. Visit the revamped library at http://www.photolibrary.fema.gov/.
New FEMA Plan Builds on Success
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced a plan that details program evolutions during the 2004 hurricanes that are now in place to help the agency respond to the 2005 hurricane season and all future disasters. Key elements of the “Building on Success” plan include the prepositioning of disaster supplies, deployment of the National Disaster Medical System, the introduction of a Web-based individual assistance application, and expansion of mutual aid assistance. These are examples of program evolutions that will better serve disaster victims no matter where or when the next disaster strikes. To find out more, read the press release at http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=17324.
New FEMA Web-Based ICS Courses
Two new Incident Command System (ICS) courses are now available online for emergency responders through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Virtual Campus.
Jointly developed by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), these new courses integrate the National Incident Management System (NIMS) guidelines and meet the systems baseline training requirements. The USFA and USDA are working together and coordinating with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s NIMS Integration Center to ensure that ICS courses at the 100, 200, 300, and 400 levels are available in various formats and for all emergency response disciplines.
Introduction to All-Hazards NIMS ICS for Operational First Responders, Q-462 (equivalent to NWCG I-100), and Basic All-Hazards NIMS ICS for Operational First Responders, Q-463 (equivalent to NWCG I-200), are both Web-based, self study, and interactive. They can be found at the FEMA Virtual Campus accessible through http://training.fema.gov/.
FEMA Program Assists Socially and Economically Disadvantaged
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a $1.5 million Emergency Preparedness Demonstration Program grant to a North Carolina cooperative partnership between MDC, Inc. and the University of North Carolina’s Center for Urban and Regional Studies.
The two-year long awareness and preparedness program for socially and economically disadvantaged households and communities will alert residents to the hazards they face and educate them about what they can do to protect themselves and achieve more effective levels of preparedness. The program will conduct extensive research on disaster awareness, develop culturally sensitive information/education materials, provide technical assistance, and document the results. Initially, the program will be carried out in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia—all of which received major presidential disaster declarations following Hurricane Isabel in 2003.
For more information about the project, visit http://www.fema.gov/preparedness/preparedness_demonstration_program.shtm.
U.S. Releases Earth Observation Strategic Plan
In April, the White House released the Strategic Plan for the U.S. Integrated Earth Observation System (IEOS) (2005, 149 pp.). The plan will serve as the framework for the U.S. contribution to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), an integrated observation system involving nearly 60 countries, which will be developed and implemented over 10 years. GEOSS and IEOS will facilitate the sharing and applied usage of global, regional, and local data from satellites, ocean buoys, weather stations, and other surface and airborne Earth observing instruments. The end result will be access to an unprecedented amount of environmental information integrated into new data products benefiting societies and economies worldwide.
The U.S. plan is focused on nine societal benefit areas: improve weather forecasting; reduce loss of life and property from disaster; protect and monitor the oceans; understand, assess, predict, mitigate, and adapt to climate variability and change; support sustainable agriculture and forestry and combat land degradation; understand the effect of environmental factors on human health and well-being; develop the capacity to make ecological forecasts; protect and monitor water resources; and monitor and manage energy resources.
The plan was developed by an interagency working group now formally recognized as the United States Group on Earth Observation (US GEO), a standing subcommittee reporting to the National Science and Technology Council Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. US GEO will continue to develop implementation and integration plans for the U.S. system and provide input into GEOSS’ implementation. For more information and a copy of the plan, visit http://iwgeo.ssc.nasa.gov/.
USFA Launches Hazardous Materials Course
A new independent study course from the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) provides a general introduction to hazardous materials that can serve as a foundation for more specific studies. The course, Introduction to Hazardous Materials, IS-5, consists of five units: Health and Environmental Regulations, Hazardous Materials Identification Systems, Identifying Hazardous Materials, Hazardous Materials and Human Health, and Preparing for Hazardous Materials Incidents. No prior knowledge of the subject matter is required or assumed. To access the course, visit http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS5.asp.
Minor League Baseball at Bat for Emergency Preparedness
For the third season in a row, Minor League Baseball is joining the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to promote emergency preparedness. During the 2005 season, 48 teams will educate and encourage fans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and schools by featuring “Ready” campaign information in television and radio public service announcements, ballparks, and/or game programs. Boy scouts troops will also take part in the effort by distributing “Ready” brochures at select games. To find out more, click here to read the press release.
FCC Rule Eases Wireless Cable TV EAS Requirements
In a final rule issued in April, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted revisions to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) that allows wireless cable television systems to provide EAS alerts to their subscribers in a more efficient and less burdensome manner. Specifically, wireless cable system operators are now able to install equipment that provides a means to switch all programmed channels to a predesignated channel that carries an EAS alert in lieu of installing an EAS decoder for each and every system channel. Accordingly, upon receipt of an EAS alert, subscribers’ equipment will automatically be tuned to the channel carrying the EAS message. Details about the rule and its history are available in the April 13, 2005, Federal Register, Vol. 70, No. 70, pp. 19312-19315, which can be found in any federal repository library and online at http://www.access.gpo.gov/.
New Continuity of Operations Course Offering from FEMA
Introduction to Continuity of Operations, IS-547, is a five-hour, Web-based course designed for a broad audience—from senior managers to those directly involved in the continuity of operations (COOP) planning effort. The independent study course from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides a working knowledge of the COOP guidance in Federal Preparedness Circular 65, Federal Executive Branch Continuity of Operations (2004, 50 pp.). Topics include an overview of what COOP is and is not and the elements of a viable COOP program. Access the course at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS547.asp.
USGS Offers One-Stop Shopping for Global Natural Hazards Events
The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) new Natural Hazards Support System (NHSS) is a Web-based tool that helps monitor, respond to, and analyze natural hazards events around the world. It provides a one-stop, Web-based portal to current natural hazards information, geospatial data, and other data directly from expert sources. This Web-based synthesis of information provides decision makers and the public with a tool to track numerous natural hazard events as they are happening.
USGS NHSS contains dynamic, near real-time natural hazards information from a wide range of sources, such as the USGS National Earthquake Information Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); the National Hurricane Center; the National Interagency Fire Center; and NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center. See what the new tool can do for you at http://nhss.cr.usgs.gov/.
NOAA Releases Economic Statistics
Economic Statistics for NOAA (2005, 56 pp.) is a compendium of economic statistics relevant to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) mission and programs. It is intended to serve as a common reference regarding the economic impacts and benefits of NOAA’s programs and provide a consistent set of economic statistics for NOAA management and staff when preparing for congressional visits and testimony, budget preparation, speeches, and other external events. Statistics are grouped into three general categories: economic and social impacts; contributions to U.S. income, employment, and output; and coastal ocean economics, population, employment, and benefits. Download a copy at http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/pdf/economic-statistics2005.pdf or request a hardcopy from NOAA’s Office of Program Planning and Integration, Office of the Chief Economist, Silver Spring Metro Center, Building 3, 15th Floor, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; (301) 713-3322 x182; e-mail: rodney.f.weiher@noaa.gov.