Emergency manager magazine, No. 3 (Fall 1998)

10

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

GEMA BRINGS ITS MESSAGE OF EMERGENCY PLANNING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS GEORGIA
Rise in Violent Incidents on School Grounds Need for Effective Planning

By Candy Waylock Contributing Writer

The sanctity and safety ofthe school playground has been shattered in recent years by the rising number ofviolent incidents at schools. Since 1993, in-school shootings have left 25 dead and 30 wounded in 11 separate attacks around the country. The average age ofthe shooter: 15 years old. In an effort to stem the rising tide ofviolence, many school districts are looking to the Georgia Emergency Management

Funded by a grant from the Victim's of Crime Act (VOCA) program, Franklin is working to bring the message ofemergency planning to schools around the state. Through training sessions, conferences, and tabletop exercises, GEMA seeks to structure the assistance to the needs ofthe individual school districts.

Agency (GEMA) for assistance in developing emergency

, plans.

Bomb Threats Prompt Schools to Action

"The Emergency Management in Schools program is a very important part of what we do at GEMA, because we're dealing with the nation's most valuable resources, our young people," said GEMA Director Gary W. McConnell. "Violence in schools affects every aspect of our society, and we are committed to making it as much a part ofour planning focus as natural disasters."

Coweta County, a school system of 15,000 students

located about 30 miles southwest ofAtlanta, has taken the

1 '

lead in school emergency planning, becoming one ofthe

most active districts in the state. Eddie Ball, the Coweta

County Emergency Management Director, has worked

closely with GEMA, the Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation,

and school administrators to develop a effective emergency

plan for the school district.

The program has been well received around the state, drawing in school administrators who recognize the need to take a proactive planning stance to keep their schools and students safe.
"Having the need for an emergency plan is a relatively new concept which has developed over the last five or six years in our district," said Superintendent Richard Brooks ofthe Coweta County School District. "We realized we needed to plan in case ofemergencies, and there has been a real awareness ofsafety issues based on the events that have occurred recently."
GEMA Shifts Focus for School Safety

"Over the past couple ofyears we've had a good number ofbomb threats in the schools, although we've never had an actual incident," explainedBall onhow the countybecame involved with the school district. "But with the [shooting] incidents inArkansas and other places we decided it was appropriate to look at training school officials on how to ,! put an emergency plan in place."
Earlier this year Coweta County sponsored a seminar, along with GEMA and the GBI, for school administrators to discuss emergency planning in their local schools. Ball said over 100 people attended the seminar, including school administrators, board members and teachers.

"For years people have looked at emergency planning from a natural disaster standpoint, and, as a result, there are very effective elements already in place which can be applied to safe school planning," said Karen Franklin, Victim's Awareness Coordinator for GEMA. Franklin said GEMA is now looking at safe schools as part of its all hazards approach to emergency planning, and identifying "all the players who play a role in the public safety picture."

"We discussed mass casualty incidents, bomb incidents, and the response that should take place internally before the arrival ofemergency responders," said Ball, who said the county is preparing for an actual bomb detonation ' exercise for school administrators later this year to illustrate the damage that can occur with bombs.
11
I

11

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

"Ifyou look at school safety in general, you have to consider all threats, including those that happen off-campus and during extracurricular events such as football games," said Franklin. "GEMA is looking at broad-based crisis response and recovery in dealing with everything from preparation, training and even working with the media after an event."

lMl!JJRTANT J\'QTJCE_S
, 1'htt O<>venwr's Taskf'orce on Jf'aruing \ (Utd Om1mu11ieatio11 Reci>1tu11dations: '\ weh site: WlVJt1.sfate.ga.usl(;EA.JA/ \

Ball echoed that point, noting administrators are moving

away from the "it can't happen to me" stance to "it could

LJil_:;v;;_~1~!~_~:;y~_~ta:_~'~):_;:,:=_::'tt~:::itJfr : happen to me, I betterbe prepared," and are welcoming

emergency planning experts with open arms.

11!\

"They'rejust pleased as they could be that we've taken

an interest in planning at the school level," said Ball.

"Disaster planning is new to the schools, and with all these incidents ofbomb threats and mass casualties in schools, it's on everyone's minds."

8

.~. .~

\k'

. .
Tlte


lVtttionatllurri"'-''am!

Center~. ~

.
web

site:

ifj

+

www.11l1c.m1aa.com

.if

Formore information on Emergency Planning in Schools,
contact Karen Franklin, Victim's Awareness Coordinator
at GEMA, 404-635-7244 or 1-800-TRY-GEMA. +

911 SIMULATOR TO HELP TRAIN FIREFIGHTERS

The National Fire Academy (NFA) has accepted a 911 Developed by a State Farm employee from Frederick, simulator from the State Farm Insurance Company. NFA, Maryland, this small unit is designed to teach children how 1 which is part of the Federal Emergency Management to make a call for emergency services. Consisting of a Agency's U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), will use this telephone, computer, and voice chip installed in a portable new equipment to help train the 4,000 firefighters that attend case, the firefighter-instructor can prompt the simulator to courses at their Emmitsburg, Maryland, campus each year. ask important questions so that children can practice
providing critical information to an emergency operator in a ''Our instructors will show firefighters how the simulator controlled situation. can be used to raise public awareness and teach the proper _ way to make an emergency call for help," said USFA Located on the grounds ofthe former St. Joseph's College
1
Administrator Carrye Brown. "Local fire departments in Emmitsburg, Maryland, the first NFA classes on the across the country are turning more attention to public Emmitsburg campus were delivered in January 1980, and education and fire prevention efforts like the 911 simulator the program has grown steadily since that time. Through its to help reduce fire losses intheir communities. The simulator courses and programs, the NFA works to enhance the ability will also be used in our national public education programs offire and emergency services and allied professionals to and partnerships, like the Make the Right Call project." deal more effectively with fire and related emergencies.

-- ------ - -

- - - - - - - - - - - -

--------~~--

12

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

FEMA INVITES THREE GEORGIA COUNTIES FOR PROJECT IMPACT

By Chuck Gregg Hurricane Planner/Exercise Coordinator

In June, the Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA) The three counties were selected based on their announced the launching ofProject Impact - Building a vulnerability to various hazards including floods and the Disaster Resistant Community, a new disaster prevention common threat ofa majorhurricane. The otherthree coastal

initiative which involves communities in all fifty states. At counties will be added soon. The program is new and

the recommendation ofGEMA, FEMA invited the three unconventional, but that allows more flexibility and

coastal counties of Camden, Glynn, and Mcintosh to opportunity to address problems at the local level with the

participate in the first phase ofthe program.

community assuming more leadership. Communities will

make decisions and coordinate activities ranging from

Project Impact is a nontraditional federal initiative in the retrofitting ofcritical facilities to education and direction on

sense that much of its success will be predicated on proper residential construction. GEMA Director Gary

involvement and support from the private sector. Project McConnell notes that Georgia is one ofthe first states to

Impact communities are expected to form steering implement Project Impact with a regional or multi-county

committees with at least halfofthe membership from the approach. "FEMA is very interested to leamhowthis works

private sector, especially from business and industry. The in Georiga," states McConnell.

+

steering committees will work with federal, state, and local

government agencies along with the other sectors ofthe

community to address hazard assessments and develop

------- ..... --------------------------- mitigationstrategies.

-

-

.......... .

- - - - - - - -------------------~---- --------------------------~-----------------------------

FAYETTE COUNTY EMA HONORED

Fayette County EMA Coordinator Pete Nelms was recently honored by FEMA for the development and implementation ofThe Fayette County Resource Council, Inc. This program has been selected for inclusion in FEMA's Compendium of Exemplary Practices in Emergency Management which showcases superlative endeavors in order to leverage creative initiatives within the emergency management community.
The Fayette County Resource Council, Inc. program was initiated in May, 1996, as a hazardous materials resource networking program targeted for supporting , Fayette County as a whole.
The Fayette County Resource Council, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation that was formed to promote partnership between government and industry. Through this partnership, resources that may be useful before, during, and after a hazardous materials incident are made available ' upon request, to all member companies and emergency responders. Council membership reduces exposure to

liability. Resources are coordinated through a resource l;L
manual that is distributed to all members. The manual 11' includes 24-hour contact information as well as available resources. The Council is governed by a board ofdirectors that consists of representatives from both industry and government.

The Council collects membership fees from all members to fund the operating expenses of the Council and to purchase equipment for the hazardous materials response team. Remaining funds are put into contingency so that they canbe used for the immediate replacement ofequipment used during an incident. The Council is a major source of funding for the team and provides resource management during hazardous material incidents.

Participation by industry and businesses continues to grow. :.

The program has promoted cooperation and coordination

among industry and government in the areas ofmitigation,

preparedness, response, and recovery.

+

13

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

SBA DISASTER APPLICATION DEADLINES

By Buzz Weiss Public Information Coordinator

Certain federal disaster loans remain available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for small businesses and small agriculture cooperatives which have been economically affected by instances ofsevere weather this year.
While the deadline for physical loss loans has passed, applications for economic injury disaster loans are still being accepted.
Economic injury disaster loans (EIDLs) provide working capital to small businesses so they can pay bills and meet normal operating expenses. Maximum loans ofup to $1.5 million are available at low interest with loan terms ofup to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibilty for the program based on the size and type ofbusiness, and its financial resources. The loans affect counties contiguous to those which have been declared as disaster areas.

Clayton, Clinch, Cobb, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Crawford, Crisp, Dade, Dawson, Decatur, DeKalb, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Douglas, Early, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Glynn, Gordon, Grady, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Houston, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, Lumpkin, Macon, Mcintosh, Miller, Mitchell, Monroe, Montgomery, Murray, Muscogee, Newton, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pike, Pulaski, Quitman, Rabun, Randolph, Richmond, Rockdale, Screven, Seminole, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Tattnall, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Towns, Treutlen, Turner, Twiggs, Union, Walker, Ware, Wayne, Webster, Wheler, White, Wilcox, Wilkinson, and Worth Counties for severe storms and flooding which occurred February 14-May 11, 1998. Deadline: December 12, 1998.

The eligible areas and the application deadlines are as Grady and Thomas Counties for heavy rains and flooding

follows: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Baldwin, thatoccurredJuly 13 in Florida. Deadline: April20, 1999.

Barrow, Bartow, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley,

Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Calhoun, If you have any questions, contact the Small Business

----------------------------------------- Candler, Carroll, Charlton, Chatham, Cherokee, Clay, Administration at 404-347-3771.

--------------------------------------~----------------------

------

-- -------- --------------

---- ------- -------

+
---- -- --

FEDERAL INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM

Twenty-six insurance companies in Georgia have been approved by FEMA to sell FEMA Flood Insurance.

Allstate Insurance Company American Bankers Insurance Company ofFlorida American Modem Home Insurance Company American National Property and Casualty American Reliable Insurance Company Auto-Owners Insurance Company Bankers Insurance company Fidelity and Deposit Companies First Community Insurance Company Great Pacific Insurance Company Hartford Fire insurance Company IGF Insurance Company Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company

Omaha Property and Casualty Insurance Company Prudential Property and Casualty Insurance Company 1. Selective Insurance Company ofAmerica South Carolina Insurance Company Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company State Capital Insurance Company State Farm Fire and Casualty Company The Hartford The Philadelphia Contributionship The Seibels Bruce Group, Inc. Travelers Insurance Unisun Insurance Company Vesta Insurance Corporation

14

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

NEW ACTUAL OCCURRENCE EXERCISE CRITERIA ANNOUNCED

By Ralph Reichert Exercise Officer
Exercise credit for response to actual occurrences has been a long established practice in emergency management. In the past, actual events which included specific elements : such as evacuations, sheltering, injuries or fatalities, and the activation ofthe Emergency Operations Center, could be submitted for exercise credit. But as a result ofa shift in control ofexercise programs from FEMA to the states, a change in these criteria was announced at the GEMA Contemporary Issues in Emergency Management Seminar conducted in June.
Recognizing that Emergency Management Agencies (EMAs) routinely respond to emergency incidents to assume a coordinating role between various departments, i agencies, and mutual aid providers, GEMA has established f new exercise guidelines which allow credit for a broader range of emergency activities, with an emphasis on operations. To receive credit, EMAs must report the incidentby submitting an Emergency Management Exercise Reporting System (EMERS) form 95-44 to GEMA. An addendum must also be attached to this form which outlines the nature ofthe incident, provides a description ofthe response (including a list ofthe responding agencies and departments), and documents compliance to any three (3) 1 ofthe following six (6) criteria:

i
+ A local, state, or federal declaration of emergency ,1

(copy attached to EMERS).

+ Activation of the Emergency Operations Center

(EOC), a Forward Emergency Operations Center

(FEOC) or Mobile Command Post (MCP), or

ii

implementation of Incident or Unified Command iI

Systems.

itii

+ Incident response by four (4) or more agencies or :1

Ci

departments.

i

+ Response through mutual aid from another i\'1i

governmental jurisdiction or private industry.

!l1 1

+ Warning issued to the public.

:I1!

+ Evacuations and/or sheltering conducted.

; :

ifij

An addendum format is currently under development, and i!
ri a supplemental form for attachment to the 95-44 will be ti mailed to all EMAs prior to October 1, 1998 for use in the

new Federal FiscalYear (FFY). It is hoped that information ~j

on the newly developed, windows based EMERS software, [:!
which will be available for download from the FEMA web ll

page, will be included in that mailing. From that web page, [J

the 95-44 form will be available for download and printing, rj

and possibly for electronic transmittal to the GEMA ~~t,'\',:

i; database. Call the Exercise Training Officer with any ,

questions at 1-800-TRY-GEMA.

+

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~----------

----------~------------------------~----------------

Continued from Page 7

Continued from Page 9

Now that the smoke is literally clearing, states that Georgia Public Television; the Georgia Departments of

participated in EMAC are planning a debriefing soon to Administrative Services and Defense; the Hall County

discuss these and other issues. Lee Smith, who served as Emergency ManagementAgency; the National Weather

EMAC Liaison from Georgia is satisfied: "In this first trial Service; the Georgia House ofRepresentatives; the offices

run, EMAC has shown it will be a viable emergency ofU.S. Senators Paul Coverdell and Max Cleland, and

response asset in the future .. .It did an outstandingjob." CongressmanNathan Deal; and meteorologists fromAtlanta

area television stations.

+ '

For more information contact Mike Sherberger, EMAC
Operations Subcommittee Chair, at (404) 635-7002. +

i
i
I
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .i i

15

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM (HMGP) FUNDS TO

ADDRESS TORNADO SAFETY

By Amy Zeller

grant applications are requesting additional sirens to either

Hazard Mitigation Specialist

upgrade or complete existing warning systems, while some

aspire to create and launch a new public warning system. A high incidence oftornadic activity associated with 1997I Some of the larger scale projects related to this initiative 1998 El Nino weather patterns has led to unusual loss of inlcude the Severe Storms Research Center project with the

life and property damage. The disasters resulting from this Georgia Tech Research Institute and the installation of 12

weather phenomenon have made it apparent that there is a NOAA radio repeater towers across Georgia. There are also

definite need for additional funding for warning systems projects demonstrating innovative ideas such as Carroll

that cannot be accommodated by existing programs.

County's mobile Disaster Safety and Education House,

which will be used throughout the county and in surrounding

This summer, GEMA received information describing a counties for education programs on all disasters. new FEMA policy concerning the use ofHazard Mitigation

Grant Program (HMGP) funds for measures to address GEMA is currently working with the FEJV;IA regional

tornado safety. Through this policy, those States that have office on meeting the requirements to qualify for this new 1
received a Presidential Disaster Declaration will be allowed initiative. These requirements include developing a

to use up to 10% of the total available HMGP funding in order to address the unique hazards posed by tornadoes. This means that $3,561,267 can be reprogrammed for

comprehensive plan to address the issues ofwarning citizens (at least 90% coverage), furthering the "safe room" concept in the construction or rehabilitation of residences or

projects to address tornado safety. This also provides a commercial structures, and sheltering in mobile home parks.

funding source for recommendations identified in the Governor's Task Force Report on warning and communications.

The plan must also have a component describing how the State will implement an ongoing public education program so that citizens are made aware ofthe meaning ofwarning

systems. These issues will be addressed in the State of

GEMA has reviewed nearly 50 projects that support the Georgia Comprehensive Mitigation Plan, which is currently

recommendations identified in this report, and halfofthese being developed and updated by the GEMA Hazard

have already been approved by FEMA. A majority ofthe Mitigation Division.

+

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---------- ----------------- --------------------

- - - ~------------ ----------~----~-------- ------~--------------~--------------------------
Continued from Page 19

Membership Corporations, individual tower owners, local Emergency Management Directors, and local public safety officials statewide to assure that this project moves forward. The impact of such an expansion on the population is immense, and an undertaking ofthis magnitude requires the cooperation ofall parties involved.
Completion ofthe statewide project is subject to funding and the finalization ofsite surveys, which are currentlybeing conducted. It is not known at this time when the transmitters will be installed. Updates on this project will be provided in GEMA publications as often as possible, and press releases and information will be provided to the areas impacted when installation plans are finalized.

Progress is also continuing on other recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on Warning and Communication including the establishment ofa Severe Storms Research Center and the acquisition of a state-of-the-art Mobile Communications Vehicle. Updates on these and other recommendations ofthe Governor's Task Force will be provided in future editions ofthe Emergency Manager.

For information concerning the recommendations ofthe

Governor's Task Force on Warning and Communication,

or any aspects ofthe projects discussed in this article, please

contact Jonna Wheeler, Project Coordinator, at (404)

635-7243.



16
By Kenneth Miller Contributing Writer

EMERGENCY MANAGER
EL NINO & LA NINA
(Excerpt from Life Magazine, August, 1998 edition)

FALL 1998

Everyone is talking about the weather -- or cursing it, or ofwildfires in history, with more than 2,000 outbreaks. A

trembling before it, or theorizing as to cause and effect -- halfmillion acres were incinerated and property losses ran

and you needn't be paranoid to conclude that climatic to a quarter billion dollars.

conditions have gone batty in recent months. Not since the

Dust Bowl days ofthe '30s has meteorological mayhem so To sum up: Since the beginning of 1997, more than 1

<'l

dominated headlines -- and minds. In the U.S. it started 16,000 have been killed worldwide by the weather and

early last year when the Truckee River invaded Reno, NY, nearly $50 billion in damage has been done. In the U.S.

silencing Harrah's slots. A few months later, more than 30 the figures are 456 dead and $13 billion lost. While there

died as rivers in the Ohio Valley burst their banks. The Red have been cataclysms ofgreater immensity and intensity in

River swallowed Grand Forks, ND, displacing 50,000. Not our century, the distribution, variety and frequency ofthe

long after that, the rogue Pacific current known as El Nino recent rotten weather has been extraordinary. The new

began wreaking havoc around the world. Indonesia's movie, TheAvengers, has a villain who specializes in climate :

jungles burned while Chile'sAtacama Desert got a foot of manipulation. You peer from the window and wonder: Is

rain. Snow fell in Guadalajara for the first time since 1881. he out there?

>

Canada suffered its worst-ever ice storm. Floods killed thousands inAfrica. In Peru endless downpours created a 2,300-square-mile lake on which PresidentAlberto Fujimori jet skied to promote tourism.
Back in the States, daffodils popped up in midwinter Chicago, and Washington, D.C.'s cherry blossoms were three months early. Winter storms that usually hit Alaska veered toward California, pitching mudslides onto mansions. Throughout the west, this spring was the soggiest on record. The tornado season was the deadliest since '74, with a body count of 124, as the worst twisters skipped the Great Plains' Tornado Alley for the more densely populated Southeast.
All that was prelude to the wild sumer of '98. Thunderstorms with hurricane-force winds trashed Moscow. The rain-swollenYangtze River killed more than 400 as it cut a swath through central China. One week-end, six rafters were killed on California rivers that were running at least 50 percent higher and faster than normal; the next weekend two dozen people were killed by storms that rampaged through the Midwest and East, dumping a foot ofrain in parts of Ohio and West Virginia. In Frame, WV, a fourmonth-old baby was seized from his mother's arms by the rising current and swept away. Florida, cleaning up after its twisters, was plagued again, this time by fire caused by aberrant weather patterns. The state suffered its worst rash



rast :01sa~ters

<<<.<<<<<< > I

: 1t~11ara tBt~tc ca~ac1ys~~l)ut~m1e eventsstan<llri

1


i <<1ncm9n'--~nd inthp CC()rdNNi~sextmotdin~. Tn~.<<

\,VOt~t RY~kl~~ oft~e pentUfX l1it~artg1ag~sho~<

< <NfrY~fi1l)Ct t?~ f 97Q; Filling ttfft0 ~ in1u10~, Tn~

'<d(}f!dli~t (;.~.Juirtica~s ~<-'1.ledinto't'e)(as. in .190{),

~iJiing ~;QQ{>, \y~U~tt1'#.RP~tlies.~~~n<lrewj ravagew~ <

Flo~{fu~1l~~2,ausing~?OhiHio~indrunag,The

N~~tllt)';s~tt<l1i~t~or)(J killed bty;ec1150~1;(){)9 ~1~ '. :

<<~<Jo90m?e~s0t0Qic(;tll~o~lo1d~ss~WileJrl~9tqh8eatmt<idt \v<c$spt,e\vwhiclep.it~hoecvi1eosrosrf

<<

'

<<1993.which caused $1$. hilli~~in <la111age.<<r11e

<<tOrnadp tliat<s\v~pfa~ross Nti~si~ur*'IHi11ois amJ

Indiana (Hl Mar~hl$~J 9~~,ra~ks firutin distance

rne pmnlllesj; <li111~n_~i()tl(an1He~~idc fmmd)andhody
count ~68~deadJ. yjorst T..J~ droughtplagueq < Ka11~a~ fron1<19~4.tos7~th(~ ~reatm~t.<snq\vstoml .< dmnp~J8~ind1esq~1()tHfort~i~k&fountShastain < <,

<

t[<~J b~Jt/u~aprqyu1n9d5s9)..f'Ie1U19epfolc1~rvlizeyslth~aai~l~ocfr~eld1}e3caenngtlurayd{e~sph

<<.:
<<

< Ou 1:PrilJ4~ f98~~ k_lllifl~92, Ati~ia thin~thatwould <<.<

<<


rate not only s\vor~t bnt odt{est \V~~ the London
kiHetl~ngo.(Dece11icberl952~ waterc{)ndensati?~<<<<.

< mhrndwith.~ultlu'~ii()xide.fiu1n Poal--burning stoves<<<<<

<<<<ru1dtoc1ories.toc~~ ~<PQltditionthl1tk!lled4,()()0<!Jl'QPle.<< < <

~ Acatrtionarytillc forourfossil,.fuet".l-,a~1S<)ckty:<~<< D.f: <

17

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

Not unless his name is El Nino. The climatic bad boy has mercifully ended his latest appearnce, and now that the numbers are in, it's clear that this year's event -- the third severe one in a decade -- tied that of 1982-83 as the century's worst.

two to seven years or more. The average is about four with a La Nina often following close behind according to Lisa Goddard, a scientist with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego. That makes the recent spate ofEl Ninos seem somewhat less remarkable.

An El Nino 's reach is broad and lasting, and the most So, the weather is probably not falling apart on us--not

recent plays a major role in this summer's woe. El Nino 's yet. But that doesn't mean we're off the hook. It's

warm, wet winter spurs the growth ofFlorida's bush, then complicated.

a jet stream dires it out, creating tinder. Fires erupt.

Meanwhile, across the country in Malibu, CA, a stranded More than a few observers think they see a pattern in

sea lion is too weak to move anything but his big brown recent El Nino-affected weather and they point to a human

eyes -- until Jim Wilson emerges from his surfer shack with source: man-made global warming. "The general warming

a bucket offrozen bait. The starving animal opens his mouth trend is making the effects ofEl Nino worse. Vice President

and starts snagging sardines like a Sea World veteran. "I Al Gore recently warned, "Unless we act, we can expect

called the wildlife rescue folks, but they've got their hands more extreme weather in the years ahead."

; full," says Wilson. "This is happening up and down the

;~ coast.

In fact, links between El Nino and global warming are

,,

tenuous. As we've just seen, El Ninos have been popping

~; Thanks to El Nino, this kind ofthing has been happening up since long before the first factory began spewing

all over the world: the balmy current robs marine mammals greenhouse gases, and there's little evidence that global

from Seattle to Patagonia ofthe cold-water fish that form warming has influenced their frequency. However, as with

i their diet. Those fish also provide the raw material for the an El Nino, global warming alters climatic conditions, fish meal industry: Last April's 90 percent drop in tweaking the odds ofsevere weather happening. And so

production drove fish meal prices up 23 percent. Soybean the recent El Nino may stand as a preview of hothouse
l oil prices rose nearly 40 perent owing to El Nino-induced weather to come.

drought in Indonesia. Hae you noticed how much lettuce

costs these days? Blame El Nino, for the crop-drowning Since 1900, the planet's temperature has risen about one

rain that it dumped on California.

degree Fahrenheit, and so far the effects have not been

catastrophic. The U.S. has seen a 10 percent increase in

As mankind has known since Eve bit the apple and a precipitation, some in the form of intense storms. The !

cloud rolled in, the weather affects everything from proportion ofrain to snow is slightly higher. In the Northeast J

, ecosystems to economics. But is it getting worse? Is there the frost-free season begins 100 days earlier than it did .!

1

anything we can do about it?

during the 1950s. But by the end ofthe next century, when

',

climatologistes expect the mercury to rise another two to . '<-.

It's not necessarily getting worse. El Nino isn't a modem six degrees, our grandchildren's grandchildren stand to lose :

:, phenomenon but a time-honored one that has only recently big. You thought El Nino was bad? Think of it as a PG-

, been given a personality. From evidence found in coral rated trailer for an R-rated blockbuster.

( reefs, tree rings and polar ice cores, scientists have traced
i. El Ninos back five millennia. There have been 10particularly

What can we do about it? For the long term, we can

f hairy events in the past 500 years (including the bruisers of change our global-warming ways. Most scientists now

1982-83 and 1997-98). In 1630, for instance, an El Nino- support the view that a man-made greenhouse effect is

!! influenceddroughtkilled five million in lrulia.

complicit in our warming trend and that we are not simply

in a routine post-ice-age cycle.

Although El Nino was long thought to emerge every seven

. years--a notion ofthe Peruvian :fishermen who discovered In the short term, we can be prepared. We can improve

the current and named it after the infant Jesus since it peaks methods ofprediction. We can live our lives in a relatively i'

around Christmas--the actual frequency ranges widely, from weather-proof way. We can respect nature-starting today!+ ll; t~~~~~~~~~~lllll!!!!!!lll!~~~~~~~~~~~~

18

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

GEMA PARTICIPATES IN ANNUAL DNR "COASTFEST"

By Buzz Weiss Public Information Coordinator

The Georgia Emergency ManagementAgency (GEMA) "Leaming about the coast is the only way we can save

joined more that 50 other exhibitors for this year's fifth annual our valuable natural resources," said Dr. Stuart Stevens,

CoastFest, held October 3 at Brunswick.

chiefofecological services for DNR's Coastal Resources

Division. "CoastFest provides a fantastic opportunity each

Sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources' year to learn about these resources and how we can protect

(DNR) Coastal Resources Division, the annual CoastFest them for future generations."

is designed to celebrate and call public attention to coastal
"')
Georgia's unique ecosystem. The only environmental GEMA's display depicted the types of natural and

education fair ofits kind, DNR officials say CoastFest is manmade disasters to which Georgia is vulnerable along

intended to entertain as well as educate.

with information on how to reduce the potential impact of

these threats.

Despite the threat ofrain, more than 3,500 people from

southeast Georgia and northeast Florida attended CoastFest In addition to GEMA, other exhibitors included: DNR's

'98, an increase of nearly 50 percent over last year. Environmental Protection, Law Enforcement, Game ~'

CoastFest Coordinator Lea King described this year's event Management, Non-Game, and Parks Divisions; Georgia ~]

as a "phenomenal success."

Power; the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation

I Commission; Georgia Southern University's Raptor &
Displays includedDNR's coastalArk, a mobile classroom, Reptile Program; the Jekyll IslandAuthority; the Skidaway

as well as DNR's marine mascot, WeeBee, a 70-foot plastic Marine Science Foundation; the University of Georgia's ~

replica ofan endangered Northern Right Whale. Guided
i nature trail walks and tours ofDNRs research vessel, the ANNA, were also offered, along with programs featuring ~ live birds of prey, reptiles, sea turtles, and native plant
~ landscaping.
m~~ t~'
~;;
~
t~
~
I I I
~j
~
~~

Marine Institute; Coastal Georgia Community College; the
Nature Conservancy; and the U.S. Coast Guard. +

' ~

~:
~J
I
l'1
l
~ ~
~
~\
I

I

~
~j
~!.;
~5

w

~~:.1

~ ~
i

[:~..--------Thesewereamongthe._ml.l!lor!l!e!l!tll!l~a!l!lnlll:ll!~!l!O_Olll_pll!l_.~ll!~!l!ll!le1a1t1~:1!11!~11!1dil!!~g_!_!I.!l!:~!l!e_!l!~lll~ll!~ll!-~!!!'_~!1[11~!1!1-~-!lS_Tllll_Flll.~llSllT!l!l".l!llllllll!l!l!lll!llllllll!l!l!llll!llll!l!!ll~~i

19

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON WARNING AND COMMUNICATION UPDATE -- NOAA EXPANSION PROJECT UNDERWAY
By Jonna Wheeler Project Coordinator

Expansion of the NOAA (National Oceanic and statewide coverage, as illustrated in the Proposed NOAA

~. Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio System in Expansion Project Map. These transmitters will be

Georgia was one of the key recommendations of the strategically placed in locations within the areas that receive

Governor's Task Force on Warning and Communication, minimal or no coverage under the current NOAA system in

which was formed earlier this year in the wake of severe orderto maximize warning potential to citizens in those areas.

storms which tore through Georgia. Created by Governor

Zell Miller, the Task Force issued a series of ambitious Currently, GEMA is aware ofmore than 355,211 Georgia

recommendations in June.

citizens who are unable to receive warnings underthe current

NOAA Weather Radio system. This number is an estimate

The first recommendation issued was the expansion of based on population estimates ofthe counties that receive

the current NOAA Weather Radio System in Georgia. no coverage at all. When counties that are only minimally

NOAA Weather Radios are tone-activated receivers that covered are taken into account, the number increases

tum on automatically when a tone is transmitted by the dramatically. With the expansion ofthe NOAA Weather

National Weather Service (NWS) preceding a severe Radio System proposed by the recommendation ofthe

weather alert. Currently, more than 24 counties in Georgia Governor's Task Force on Warning and Communication

receive no coverage under the present NOAA system. In coverage will be expanded and improved to an estimated

addition, 19 Georgia counties are only receiving minimal 725,126 Georgia citizens.

coverage under the current NOAA system.

GEMA is coordinating this project with individuals from

The Georgia Emergency ManagementAgency (GEMA) the National Weather Service, Good News Network,

has tentatively identified and proposed 12 locations around Crown Broadcast International, Georgia's Electric

the state where transmitters can be located to provide full

Continued on Page 15

Existing NOAA Coverage
Current Transmitter Sites ~ Minimal Coverage
FD: :~~-:rage
---------80 Miles

Proposed NOAA Expansion Project
QProposedTransmitterS1tes CurrentTransmdlerSites
~'~~=~::i~:
c::::JcoverageProvidedbyProposedTransmitter

---------90

gillo

Miles

November 1998

~
r
cI' H

r:

<..

;

~:

1 [

'1.:
['"

L''
,.

i,

f
,tr..
r
~

f
t
L
t1
Hrl

20

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

LOW-INCOME GEORGIANS GET RELIEF DURING HEAT WAVE

In July, eleven states including Georgia received $8,836, 164 in emergency funds from the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services to help low-income residents survive the summer's extreme heat.
The program was administered by the Georgia Department ofHurnan Resources through local Community Action Agencies and coordinated by the Georgia Emergency ManagementAgency.

poverty level, which amounts to $12,202 per year for a two-person household, $15,330 for a three-person household, and $18,458 for a four-person household.
Priority was given during the first week ofthe program to households where all the members are homebound or over age 70. Thereafter, other households made applications on a first come, first served basis. Benefits were issued to vendors on behalfofthe eligible households.

The funds went specificallyto payfor electric bills, provide or replace air-conditioners, and make homes cooler and more energy efficient.
Funds were administered through a Low-Income Heat EnergyAssistance program already in place and allocated throughout the state according to a formula based on a poverty index.
Households were eligible for assistance ifthey had an income no higher than 115 percent of the federal

Up to 15 percent ofthe $8.8 million was authorized by the Georgia Environmental FacilitiesAuthority to weatherize homes to improve their energy efficiency and make them easier to cool.

Also, the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs, the

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation, and the Attorney General's

Office participated in a task force to protect the public from

price gouging and consumer fraud.

+

GEMA
Public Information Office Post Office Box 18055 Atlanta, Georgia 30316-0055
http://www.state.ga.us/GEMA/ http ://safetynet.gema.state.ga. us

Attn: Emergency Manager Magazine

G-fl
Gr~.E3~
Pl
45 fCJCf~/3

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL '98

http://www.state.ga.w/GEMA/

NO. 3

FIRST GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC SAFETY AWARDS PRESENTED
By Buzz Weiss Public Information Coordinator

Twenty-one state and local public safety personnel from around Georgia

were honored in early October at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center as

- --- - ---

---- -~ -------

the first recipients ofthe Governor's Public SafetyAwards.

The Public Safety Awards Program was initiated this year by Governor Zell Miller to recognize the outstanding accomplishments ofthe men and women ofGeorgia's public safety community. It honors all disciplines within the public safety profession, which includes over 60,000 members throughout the state.

"This program is our gift ofthanks to all the public safety personnel who have made a commitment in their life to serving the citizens ofthe State ofGeorgia," Governor Miller told the more than 1,500 people gathered for the ceremony. "Often we take for granted our safety and every once in a while we need to be reminded ofthe individuals who make our safety a priority. It is the men and women of Georgia's public safety community that allow us to have that level of comfort and they are the reason we are here today."

"We are going to continue to honor the public safety officers who have lost their lives. We must. We should continue joining with their loved ones in holding them close in memory, and thanking their families for the ultimate sacrifice," Miller continued. "But we are also, today, starting a new tradition. A tradition ofrecognizing and thanking and honoring our public safety officers while they are still alive and are here with us to hear ourwords and receive our tokens ofappreciation."
Continued on Page 2

: 1:1 1 1 ~1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 .~1 1.1 .1 1 1 1 1 :

....-......;:::::;:;....

...:::::::

::::=:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Governor Zell Miller and GEMA Director Gary McConnell stand beside the newly built monument honoring the heroic actions and the outstanding performance of all public safety members.

Public Safety Awards

cover

EMAC Joins Florida Firefight

7

AMR Donates Mobile Pet Clinic

8

GEMA Wins Federal Grant

9

Emergency Planning to Schools

10

911 Simulator Trains Firefighters

11

Project Impact

12

Fayette County EMA Honored

12

SBA Disaster Application Deadlines 13

National Flood Insurance

13

Actual Occurrence Exercise

14

HMGPFunds

15

El Nino & La Nina

16

DNR "Coastfest"

18

NOAA Expansion Project

19

ReliefDuring Heat Wave

20

FALL 1998

Governor Miller described the recipients as the "living

heroes among us" who take risks and make sacrifices.

Miller, assisted by Georgia Emergency Management

Agency (GEMA) Director and Chairman ofthe Governor's

Public Safety Awards Committee Gary W McConnell,

draped the medallions around the necks ofthe winners, as

:~ their stories ofheroism and outstanding performance were ~ read by WMAZ-TV News Director Dodie Cantrell, who

served as master ofceremonies.

1i D?ne of fthis ye~r's h~noGrEeeMAwsaSs Shit.edve kSchildec~erd,

'' rrector o 0 peratlons 1or

. c 1 ec er was cite

for Outstanding Job Performance in the field ofemergency

management.

In addition to Schildecker, this year's honorees, and their categories, include:
Sheriffs - Acts of Heroism: Deputy Brad Rounds, Hall County Sheriff's Department. Deputy Rounds, 29, was the frrst to arrive at a burning house in south Hall County. He rescued a three-year old child and her mother from the structure, but then learned that a third person, the child's 97-year old grandmother was still inside. Although suffering from smoke inhalation, Deputy Rounds reentered the blazing home, located the woman, and carried her to safety.

A 26-year veteran of the public safety profession, Schildecker began his career with the DeKalb County Police Department, rising to the rank ofcaptain, and later served as Public Safety Director for Gwinnett County. He joined GEMA in 1994 and managed the design and construction of the agency's state-of-the-art State Operations Center.

Schildecker served on the Infrastructure Subcommittee for the 1996 Olympic Games and laid the groundwork for the current GEMA critical infrastructure program, which works closely with the President's Commission on Infrastructure. He has received national recognition for his knowledge and expertise inthe areas ofdomestic and foreign terrorism.

"Steve's talent and dedication has been critical to the success ofGEMA over the past four years," said Director McConnell.

3

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

Sheriffs-OutstandingJob Performance: SheriffBill Firefighters - Outstanding Job Performance: Hutson, Cobb County. A 33-year veteran of law Captain Chester L. Johnson, Louisville Fire enforcement, Hutson has served as Cobb County Sheriff Department. Captain Johnson was cited for his since 1976. Hehasreceivedanumberofawards, including commitment to continued education in the fire service. "Sheriff of the Year" by both the County Officers' In 1989, Johnson became the first member of the Association and the Georgia Sheriffs'Association. Among Louisville Fire Department to complete the demanding his accomplishments, SheriffHutson was instrumental in Georgia Smoke Diver Class. In 1990, he became the the formation ofthe Marietta-Cobb-Smyrna Organized Fire Safety Educator for the State of Georgia and, the Crime Unit and implemented a model Certified Detention following year, completed training in structural Office Program in Cobb County. Hutson currently serves techniques at the Georgia Fire Academy. Johnson began ontheExecutiveBoardoftheNationalSheriffs'Association conducting fire safety education programs in local and is a past president ofthe Georgia Sheriffs'Association, schools and day care centers in 1992, a program which the County Officers'Association, and the Peace Officers' he continues to guide today. Association ofGeorgia.

Firefighters - Acts of Heroism: Firefighters Shane H. Haygood and George L. Mosley, Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services. Firefighters Haygood and Mosley responded to a house fire in Austell and learned that a child was trapped inside. The two firefighters entered the structure amidst extreme heat and thick smoke, located the child and carried him to safety.

Emergency ManagementAgencies -Acts ofHeroism: Deputy Director Fred Baskin, Carroll County Emergency Management Agency. In March, 1998, Carroll County was hit by heavy rains and localized flooding. Baskin responded to a call ofa vehicle which had run into a river. The car's driver escaped, but her 18-month old child was trapped inside as the swift waters continued to rise. Baskin and colleague Bud Benefield deployed a boat into the river. Baskin held the boat in place for at least an hourand-a halfwhile efforts were made to secure the car. Despite rescuers' efforts, the child did not survive the ordeal. A retired DNR enforcement officer, Baskin has spent 40 years in the public safety field.

---- -- ------- ------- - - -

--
---~~---

-------~-

---

Continued on Page 4

4

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

Emergency Management Agencies - Outstanding Emergency Communications - Outstanding Job

Job Performance: Newt S. Biggers, Covington- Performance: James Michael Brewer, Director Butts

Newton County Emergency Management Agency. County Emergency Communications. Director Brewer

Director Biggers has volunteered his services to various has spearheaded efforts to better the 911 emergency

. professional associations representing public safety, communications profession in Georgia, including

i including the Emergency Management Association of development ofthe first state emergency communications

Georgia, the Georgia Fire Chiefs Association, and the training conference. He is currently active with the Terminal

Georgia State Firefighters Association. He has Agency Coordinators Association of Georgia, the

successfully enhanced the cooperation among the Association ofPublic Safety Communications Officers, and

different organizations by sharing his knowledge among the National Emergency NumberAssociation ofGeorgia.

them and bringing them together as a team with a Emergency communications in Georgia have benefited

''),

common goal.

greatly from the tireless efforts ofMichael Brewer.

"' Emergency Communications - Acts of Heroism: Marvin J. Williams, Oconee County Sheriff's Office. Dispatcher Williams received a call this past spring that a boater had suffered a heart attack while trying to remove a snake that had fallen into his boat. The callers were unable to identify the location ofthe incident, which was outside the Oconee jurisdiction. Williams persisted in determining the location and dispatching assistance. He also gave the callers the necessary instructions in successfully reviving the victim who was unconscious and not breathing. Williams is a trained instructor and manager in emergency medical dispatch. The 911 tapes ofthe incident are now used in training programs.

I Police - Acts of Heroism: Officers George Cleary
and Robert Connolly, Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit ~
Authority (MARTA) Police. Officers Cleary and ~ Connolly were patrolling northeast Atlanta's Lindbergh ~~l
I MARTA station in October, 1997 when they heard multiple I gunshots from a nearby apartment complex. On arriving at B
the location ofthe gunfire, they found two Atlanta police
i officers down and heard noises coming from one ofthe !l
apartments. Cleary provided cover while Connolly began
administering CPR to one ofthe injured officers. Connolly ~
then placed himself between the apartment, where the m
I gunman was hiding, and the downed officers and
I paramedics who had arrived to treat them. Both Cleary
and Connolly then helped to evacuate the two Atlanta police ~
I officers and civilians who were in the line offire. Atlanta
Police Officer John Sowa was killed in the incident. Officer ~

I

5

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

Police-Outstanding Job Performance: Officer James Fouchia, Gwinnett County Police Department. A veteran ofnearly two decades in law enforcement with the Atlanta and Gwinnett County Police Departments, Officer Fouchia has demonstrated the importance ofcontinuing education and training, receiving advanced certification in a number ofareas including first responder training, criminal procedures, officer survival, and crisis intervention. His onthe-job performance has also been notable. In 1988, he pulled a citizen from a burning house and two years later, his resuscitation efforts saved the life ofa young woman. In 1991, he was named "Officer ofthe Month," for thwarting a crime in progress. He was cited for his humanitarian efforts in 1996 for collecting and delivering clothing for children he found in need when responding to a call. Most recently, in the spring of 1998, Officer Fouchia came upon a serious automobile accident while off-duty. After calling it in, he carried a severely injured three-year old girl to a nearby hospital and returned to the accident scene to remain with the child's mother until she could be extricated from her vehicle. Both the mother and child survived the incident.

Tison attempted to begin treatingAPD Officers Sowa and Cocciolone, but found themselves in the line offire ofthe alleged gunman, who had emerged from his apartment. Tison managed to pull Cocciolone to safety, butTaylor and Sowa remained trapped between the gunman and police, until the MARTA officers were able to provide adequate cover to permit Taylor to remove Sowa from the area.
Emergency Medical Services - Outstanding Job Performance: J. Pat Atkins, National EMS, Inc. Atkins, owner ofNational EMS, Inc., is actively involved in the emergency medical service field. Since founding National in 1976, Atkins has been dedicated to providing the best possible pre-hospital care, while using state-ofthe-art equipment and innovative ideas. He was instrumental in forming the GeorgiaAmbulance Network, and is active in the American Ambulance Association, as well as programs such as "Safe Kids ofGeorgia," Project Santa, the Mock Prom Care Accident video, and public education activities.

Emergency Medical Services - Acts of Heroism: ParamedicAntonio D. Taylor and EMT Don B. Tison, American Medical Response. Taylor and Tison were cited for their acts ofheroism in the same incident for which MARTA Officers Connolly and Cleary were honored. When they responded to an "officer down" call, Taylor and

Continued on Page 6

6

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

State Agencies - Acts of Heroism - GBI Special Response Entry Team. On October 16, 1997, a GBI
Special Response Team(SRT)/Entry Team, consisting of ASAC H. Carter Brank, and Agents David L. Bartlett, Jeffrey W. Evans, Terry W Hunt, and Michael B. McDaniel, was dispatched to assist Pike County authorities. A man wanted on rape and burglary charges had barricaded himselfinside a mobile home, taking his girlfriend hostage. GBI negotiators persuaded the suspect to release the girlfriend, but he remained holed-up for 13 hours, firing numerous shots at the agents. When it became clear that further negotiations were not going to succeed, agents fired tear gas into the trailer and initiated other diversionary tactics. A GBirobotdetermined the suspect's location and the members ofthe SRT rushed in and made an arrest without injury.

A total of86 public safetypersonnel were nominated from seven public safety disciplines - Sheriffs, Police, Fire Services, Emergency Medical Service, Emergency Management Agencies, 911 Systems, and state agencies including, Georgia State Patrol, GBI, Department of Corrections, Department ofDefense, and others. There were two categories ofawards in each discipline -Acts of Heroism or Outstanding Deeds which resulted in saving lives and protecting property; and Outstanding Job Performance which enhanced the profession. Although there are only 14 awards, there were a total of21 honorees, because several teams were cited.
"To be a nominee is a magnificent accomplishment," said i McConnell. "And those who receive the awards are .I particularly honored not only by the public safety community, 1 but by all ofthe citizens ofGeorgia."

In addition to presenting the awards, Governor Miller unveiled a granite monument to the public safety personnel, which is located in the atrium ofthe Georgia Public Safety Training Center. The names ofthe winners are engraved on the monument. The Public Safety Awards will be presented annually.

The Georgia Public Safety Awards Committee also honored Governor Miller with a special presentation ofa new Criminal Justice Scholarship, established in his name, which will be awarded next year to a person interested in a public safety career. The presentation was made by Deputy Transportation Commissioner Steve Parks.

The presentation ofcolors and the playing ofthe national anthem was conducted by the Georgia National Guard. Reverend Jackie Beavers delivered the invocation, and Reverend Jimmy Waters the dedicatory prayer.

i

Over 40 representatives ofstate public safety agencies,

I

officials ofprofessional organizations representing the public

I
I

safety community, and representatives ofthe private sector

I

served on the Awards Committee which developed the

awards program.

+

i
I

- - - - - - - - - - - - -- ---- -- --- ----------- --------- ----
---~-------

7

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

EMAC JOINS FLORIDA FIREFIGHT

Nine States Participate in EMAC During with many needed bush trucks. Perhaps most importantly,

Florida Fires

EMAC gave states the opportunity to help each other and

to supplement state and federal assistance.

The State ofFlorida will long remember the wildfires of 1998. Between May and July, approximately 7,000 firefighters from 44 states and Puerto Rico battled as many as 2,200 blazes spread across every county in the state. The fires, sparked by summer heat and regional drought, were the worst Florida has seen in 50 years. Joining the battle were states that participated through the Emergency

Florida is grateful for all the help the states provided. "Forty-four states, nine ofwhich participated in EMAC, provided personnel and equipment for our devastating fires at a time when we needed it the most," notes Joseph Myers, Director ofFlorida's DEM, "Thank goodness for EMAC and the generous support it provided."

ManagementAssistance Compact (EMAC).

EMAC was originally initiated in 1992 by the Southern

In June, Florida formally requested assistance through Governors' Association following Hurricane Andrew, EMAC, the interstate mutual aid agreement administered although it soon offered membership to all states and ,. by the National Emergency Management Association. territories. When Congress officially enacted EMAC in Between June 22 and July 10, a total ofnine states helped 1996, it was the first national, disaster-related compact Florida as part ofthe compact, either by sending personnel since the Civil Defense and Disaster Compact of 1950. or equipment. These included Georgia, North Carolina, So far 24 states and 1 territory have signed the compact.

South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland, Mississippi, Delaware, and North Dakota. Most of the other states provided support through other sources, including the Fire Service Compact and the National Guard.

The provisions ofEMAC are designed to encourage states to help one another. It places the burden on requesting states by making them responsible for the actions ofworkers from assisting states and reimbursing them. By requiring

When Florida called for help, the nine EMAC states sent one to four person "Advance Teams" to the emergency operations center (EOC) in Tallahassee. From there, the

state legislatures to pass the compact, EMAC speeds procurement and ensures legal issues are worked out ahead oftime.

teams assisted the Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM) in procuring and tracking assets from their home states. These included firefighters, fire engines, utility trucks and helicopters. Usually five to six EMAC liaisons were present at anytime.

EMAC offers several advantages to member states. EMAC aid supplements state and local efforts, even when disasters are not eligible for Federal Emergency ManagementAgency assistance. Further, when the federal government does help, state aid may be easier to get.

Most states participating in the EMAC operations were Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has satisfied with the results. Since state legislatures have to repeatedly stressed its support for EMAC and promised ratify the compact, EMAC had a legal framework that not to consider any interstate help when calculating federal : facilitated procurement. Maryland, for example, ne.eded assistance.

only a short executive order to authorize the transfer of state resources. Because the EMAC desk also tracked other assets, like National Guard units, undue confusion and duplication were avoided.

Those involved with EMAC in Florida do acknowledge that the compact needs a little tweaking. Several states have expressed concern over team expense reimbursement and the need for improved coordination and training. States

In addition, EMAC was able to procure specialized have also suggested having liaisons from each EMAC state equipment and tap resources that were unavailable through present at the EOC to coordinate missions.

other agencies and compacts. For instance, compact states

were able to bring in municipal firefighters and supply Florida

1.
Continued on Page 14

8

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

A-M-R DONATES MOBILE PET CLINIC TO GEMA

By Buzz Weiss Public Information Coordinator

American Medical Response (AMR)- West Georgia ''This mobile clinic will be particularly important inhelping

Division, based in Carrollton, has donated an ambulance to ensure public health and safety during disasters," said

to GEMA as part of an ongoing program to address GEMA Director Gary W McConnell. "For example, it

emergency and disaster issues affecting pets and other will give us the ability to check animals for diseases which

animals. The mobile clinic is believed to be the first ofits would be harmful to humans."

kind in the nation.

"This donation underscores the importance of

The Georgia Department ofAgriculture, in conjunction cooperation and collaboration between the public and

with the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association and the private sectors, and it is the citizens who benefit,"

Georgia Humane Society, is working with GEMA and the McConnell continued.

Emergency ManagementAssociation ofGeorgia (EMAG)

to conduct training and develop plans for dealing with McConnell noted that efforts are underway to establish

animals in the wake ofdisasters.

pet and animal components to disaster plans in every

jurisdiction throughout Georgia.

After it is converted, the vehicle will be used for this

training at the community level. In time ofdisasterthe mobile

Nearly 60 percent ofGeorgia's households own over

1 :

unit will be used in an effort to detect and eradicate diseases, three million companion animals with an annual economic

care for injuries, and assist communities with emergency impact of$1 billion. There are also 1.6 billion farm animals

situations. After being recently retired from active service in the state, part of a $19 billion industry.

+

byAMR, refurbishing and equipping ofthe Ford van began.

NEW PETS AND DISASTERS INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSE

FEMA

'r Washington, D. C.

I!.

Pet owners, farmers, veterinarians and anyone who loves or cares for animals can learn how to safeguard their animals
i during disasters through two new Independent Study
courses developed by the Federal Emergency ManagementAgency (FEMA). The first course, IS-010, discusses how disasters affect people and their animals, while the second, IS-011 focuses on incorporating animals into communities' disaster planning and is aimed primarily at emergency management officials and animal-care industries. The courses, offered through FEMA's Emergency Management Institute, were developed with assistance from a number oforganizations including the AmericanVeterinary MedicalAssociation, Humane Society of the United States, American Academy on Disaster Veterinary Medicine, as well as local emergency management and animal control agencies.
"Ifyou have animals and care about them, you have to care about them during a disaster," said Joe Bills, the course

manager and project officer. "Animals are often considered :i ~
part ofthe family and plans have to be made to care for them during a disaster. For our pets, preparation can mean the difference between life and death in a disaster."

As with all FEMA Independent Study Courses, there are

no prerequisites or enrollment fees. The course materials

can be downloaded from FEMA's Web site, at

www.fema.gov/EMI/Ishome.htm. Materials can also be ,, !<:
ordered by writing to the Independent Study Office, l 1 Emergency Management Institute, National Emergency Lf;l

Training Center, 16825 South SetonAvenue, Emmitsburg, [,!,

MD 21727. The courses include practice exercises and a ,i
final exam. Those who score 75 percent or better are issued r:t'i

a certificate of completion by FEMA's Emergency !!

Management Institute. The average course completion time i'-i

is 10 to 12 hours.

+ 1 rl1j

lj

9

EMERGENCY MANAGER

FALL 1998

GEMA WINS FEDERAL GRANT FOR STORM RESEARCH, PROGRESS MADE ON WEATHER WARNING IMPROVEMENTS

By Buzz Weiss Public Information Coordinator, GEMA

Substantial progress has been made over the summer in Another top recommendation ofthe panel called for an

efforts to improve severe weather forecasting and warning expansion ofNOAA (National Oceanic andAtmospheric

in Georgia, including the awarding ofa $1 million grant for Administration) weather radio transmitter sites throughout

the establishment ofa Severe Storms Research Center in the state.

Atlanta. The upgrades are part ofan ambitious plan outlined

by a special Governor's Task Force on Warning and McConnell said that several dozen possible tower

Communication, formed in the wake ofviolent tornadoes locations have been identified from which 10 will be selected

which tore through Georgia earlier this year. The March to permit full statewide coverage. NOAA weather radios

20 storm had not been detected on radar and no tornado are tone-activated receivers which turn on automatically

warnings were in effect when the storm hit shortly before when a signal is transmitted by the National Weather Service

7:00 a.m., leaving 13 people dead and scores more injured. preceding a severe weather alert. Not all areas ofGeorgia

are currently able to receive NOAA weather radio coverage,

The grant from the Federal Emergency Management however.

Agency was awarded in mid-August to GEMA, which will

contract with the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) Funding sources for at least one state-owned Doppler

to operate the research facility.

radar in northeast Georgia are also being explored. The

additional radar is necessary to provide coverage in an area

The center is expected to be in operation by early next ofmountainous terrain that limits the reliability ofcurrent

year, in time for the 1999 tornado season. The center will radar operations.

contract with the National Severe Storms Laboratory

(NSSL) and will include three NSSL data processing A state-of-the-art mobile communications vehicle has

workstations featuring software which is substantially more been ordered, and delivery to GEMA is expected by the

sensitive to indicators of severe weather. GTRI's Gene end ofthe year. The vehicle will be equipped with a wide

Greneker said a top goal ofthe center will be to increase range ofcommunications technology, including satellite

the warning time for tornadoes by 50 percent, as well as to phones and microwave video image downlink capabilities,

reduce the number offalse alarms.

to facilitate the rebroadcast ofcritical response and recovery

communications.

GEMA Director GaryW McConnell saidthe center, along with other initiatives, will make Georgia a national leader in

I
GEMA has a total of49 hazard mitigation grants, worth <-.

adequately warning citizens ofsevere weather, as well as a nearly $6 million, which will assist local communities in

bellwether state in severe storms research. He said the developing or expanding weather warning capabilities.

center will put Georgia three to five years ahead ofthe nation Twenty-six ofthese grants have been approved for funding;

in weather forecasting.

eighteen are being submitted to FEMA; and five are currently

being reviewed.

I

Creation of a research center for severe weather was

!

one ofthe key recommendations ofthe Governor's Task In addition to GEMA, which was responsible for

Force. Charged by Governor Zell Miller with reviewing managing the day-to-day operations ofthe Task Force, !

current weather forecasting and warning systems, and other participants included: FEMA, Georgia Tech, the

determining how they can be improved, the panel submitted University of Georgia, the Association County !

its recommendations in early June, less than three months Commissioners ofGeorgia; theGeorgiaMunicipal Association;

after it was formed. The implementation process began immediately and considerable pro!!fess has been made.

Continued on Page 14