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Category Archives: Preparedness

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Webinar: Emergency Preparedness Resources for Houses of Worship

August 06, 2014

The Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships
the Small Business Administration Center for Faith-based & Community Initiatives
(Both Centers of the White House Office of Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships)
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency

invite you to join us for:

A Webinar on Emergency Preparedness Tools & Resources for Houses of Worship and Community Organizations

WEBINAR

________________

 

Learn more about tools, resources and partnerships strategies to help faith-based and community organizations prepare for emergencies!

 WEBINAR DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this webinar is to provide participants with information on emergency preparedness tools, resources and engagement strategies that are available to faith-based and community leaders and emergency managers. Presentations will explain how faith-based and community-based organizations can engage in National Preparedness Month 2014 and National PrepareAthon Day! activities. The presentations will also highlight engagement best practices at the state and local level between faith-based and community leaders and emergency managers to prepare faith and community-based organizations and the larger community.WHO SHOULD JOIN THE WEBINAR? This webinar is for anyone interested in learning more about resources to help faith-based and community-based organizations get prepared for emergencies and help their communities to do the same.

WHEN IS THE WEBINAR? 

August 19, 2014
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

HOW DO I JOIN THE WEBINAR?

Adobe Connect Web Link: https://icpd.adobeconnect.com/faithtoolsa/event/registration.html

Please sign in as a guest.  Be sure to test your Adobe Connect connection prior to the meeting by clicking here.

PRESENTERS. Representatives from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, County of Los Angeles Office of Emergency Management and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department’s Office of Emergency Management will present.  The Small Business Administration Center for Faith-based & Community Initiatives and Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships, will also provide remarks in support of houses of worship and community organizations engaging in preparedness activities.
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Resources to prepare your organization’s technology for a disaster

July 23, 2014

Tech Soup is a respected and valuable technology resource for nonprofits (If you don’t know about their deeply-discounted software, you should). They recently published an excellent disaster planning guide:  The Resilient Organization. Find their links to the new guide and related webinars below.

Disaster preparedness isn’t just about being ready for a fire or earthquake; it’s a nimble, flexible approach to your organization’s day-to-day programs and operations. A natural disaster may never hit your office, but by adopting certain technologies and strategies, you can deepen your nonprofit’s impact and make your work faster and more efficient. The resources in this toolkit will not only prepare you for a crisis, but also deepen the impact of your nonprofit or charity in times of health.

The Resilient Organization is a holistic guide to disaster planning and recovery. This book is intended both for organizations striving to be better prepared for an emergency and for organizations striving to rebuild and maintain operations after a disaster. Download The Resilient Organization and browse other disaster planning and recovery resources below. The book comes in four formats:

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Get ready ’cause here it comes*: severe weather

March 05, 2014
Had enough snow? Now get ready for other kinds of severe weather.
Had enough snow? Now get ready for other kinds of severe weather, including floods, tornadoes and tropical storms.

Did you know it’s National Severe Weather Preparedness Week?

In 2013, there were seven weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each across the United States. These events included five severe weather and tornado events, a major flood event, and the western drought/heat wave. Overall, these events killed 109 people and had significant economic effects on the areas impacted.

During National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 2-8, 2014, NOAA and FEMA will highlight the importance of preparing for severe weather before it strikes.

Being prepared for severe weather doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A few simple steps, such as having a disaster supplies kit, could help save your life.

During National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, we ask that you Be a Force of Nature

by knowing your risk, taking action and being an example where you live.
To find out more about being prepared for any emergency, click here.
*With apologies to the Temptations
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Updated: Bomb Threat Guidance 2013

June 25, 2013

OBP_DHS DOJ Bomb Threat Guidance Image

Did you hear the one about a forgetful British bridegroom who made a hoax bomb threat rather than admit he’d neglected to book the venue for his wedding? He was sentenced to a year in jail.

What should you do if your organization receives a threat? The FBI and DHS released a new “pocket” bomb threat guidance document available here. It provides a two-page overview to help  you deal with bomb threats: planning and preparation, your “emergency toolkit”, what you should do if you receive a threat, how to assess the threat and the possible responses.

Now is a good time to review, or to think through your own plans. Our own Emergency Planning: Disaster and Crisis Response Systems for Jewish Organizations has a longer chapter discussing the issue. Learn how to handle a phone threat with this checklist.

Finally, read an New York Times account of an October 15, 2012 bomb threat (with an actual pipe bomb) to the Home Depot store in Huntington, NY. The store’s bomb threat plan was put to good use.

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Do the NYC Readiness Challenge

May 08, 2013

Readiness challenge

Try out the NYC Readiness Challenge, a new online tool that:

  • highlights what could happen in the event of an emergency in New York City; and
  • outlines steps users can take to prepare for a disaster.

Designed to help New Yorkers learn about emergency preparedness in a fun, engaging way, the NYC Readiness Challenge takes users through different topics on disaster preparedness. Users learn about staying informed during an emergency, contacting loved ones who may be concerned, gathering emergency supplies ahead of a disaster, preparing pets for emergencies, and helping family members and friends with special needs. Thanks to NYC OEM Commissioner Joe Bruno for his ongoing leadership.

To check out the NYC Readiness Challenge, click here. 

 

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Coping with the heat and power outages

July 06, 2010

With the extreme heat affecting the New York City area energy consumption is, and will be, at record levels and ConEd  requested that customers conserve energy (check out these tips). Blackouts are already occurring throughout the city and more are inevitable. Many simple steps can help you prepare accordingly, both to keep people safe and to ensure that your important services continue.

  • Be aware of others who are vulnerable to the heat and may need assistance (including older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, and those taking certain medications). Encourage them to use their air conditioner during a heat event. For additional information, visit http://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/extreme-heat.page.
  • Keep water available and move people to a cool place (Find a Cooling Center near you during a heat emergency.).
  • Have flashlights and batteries available (don’t forget to test regularly — suggestion, when you change your clocks).
  • Monitor radio or TV for up-to-date information ( have a wind up or battery operated radio/tv in case the power goes out).

Follow this link for more steps to help you and your organization through a power outage. Bonus: these steps are an easy precursor to more comprehensive emergency planning.

Get more information to secure your Jewish institution at www.jcrcny.org/security.
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