U.S. Government News

Seattle Earthquake Conference Tackles Tsunamis

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:01:29 PST

Hundreds of geoscientists, engineers, insurance regulators, building officials, emergency managers and earthquake professionals will converge in Seattle to take part in the National Earthquake Conference, 22-26 April 2008, at The Westin Hotel. The conference includes presentations from world-class tsunami experts, and according to Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW) Executive Director Bob Freitag, you don't have to be an expert-or even attend the conference-to participate.

Home Evacuation Plan: When Is the Time for You and Your Family to Prepare a Home Evacuation Plan? Now!

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:12:55 PST

There is no time like the present when it comes to sitting down with your family and preparing for the day when you may be forced to evacuate your home, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

FEMA Funds First Hazard Mitigation Project In Orleans Parish

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 10:54:08 PST

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently approved funding to reconstruct six severe repetitive loss properties in Orleans Parish. The approved project is significant because it is the first project in Orleans Parish being funded through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grants Program (HMGP).

Help for Victims of California Wildfires

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:25:32 PST

In response to the California wildfires, the Contractors State License Board and the Department of Insurance have established special consumer assistance hotlines.

California Wildfires: HUD to Offer Foreclosure Relief For Families Displaced By Southern California Wildfires

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:38:20 PST

Those who are forced from their homes by these devastating fires need to know that help is available," said Jackson. "As families put their lives back together, HUD stands ready to assist local recovery efforts in any way we can.

Governor Schwarzenegger Orders California National Guard to Southern California Fires

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:19:43 PST

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today directed the California National Guard (CNG) to make 1500 guardsmen available to support the firefighting efforts in Southern California. The 1500 guardsmen, including 200 troops currently patrolling the California/Mexico border, will be deployed at the direction of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) to areas where they can have the greatest impact.

CDC Video: The History of Bioterrorism

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 10:20:42 PST

These videos describe the Category A diseases: smallpox, anthrax, botulism, plague, tularemia, and viral hemorrhagic fevers. If these germs were used to intentionally infect people, they would cause the most illness and death. Watch these videos to learn how some of these agents have been or can be used as bioterrorist weapons.

CDC Emergency Preparedness Tips

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 10:05:05 PST

The possibility of public health emergencies arising in the United States concerns many people in the wake of recent hurricanes, tsunamis, acts of terrorism, and the threat of pandemic influenza. Though some people feel it is impossible to be prepared for unexpected events, the truth is that taking preparedness actions helps people deal with disasters of all sorts much more effectively when they do occur.

Increase in College Dorm Fires Prompts Officials to Issue Warning

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:02:51 PST

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As students go off to college and leave the comforts of home, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning about the dangers of fires in college housing such as dormitories, fraternities, sororities and barracks

Student Recruitment for Command and General Staff Functions for Local IMTs

Sun, 19 Aug 2007 13:03:43 PST

The purpose of this course is to present training to a designated team of fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Department of Public Works, Public Health and/or law enforcement personnel from a larger and generally more populated area, typically with a single jurisdiction (city, county or region).

Your Pets Depend on You! Plan Now to Keep Them Safe in a Disaster Later

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:17:40 PST

NEW YORK, August 13, 2007 — All too often when disaster strikes pets are left to fend for themselves and end up lost, injured or killed. Making your pets a part of your family disaster preparedness plan is an essential step toward ensuring their safety, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner Urges Sacramento Residents to Prepare for Possible Disaster

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 11:31:58 PST

Home Inventory and Insurance Policy Updates Should be Done Today Before Calamity Strikes Tomorrow; Consumers Can Contact Dept. of Insurance for Free Inventory Guide

Earthquake Preparedness Handbook : Now Available in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 17:06:20 PST

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced today the release of two new publications, both titled, "Protecting Your Family from Earthquakes" The Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety." One is written in Spanish, with an accompanying English translation, and the other is translated into Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean, also with an accompanying English translation.

Connecticut Announces Statewide Effort to Collect Supplies for School Nurses Offices in Louisiana

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 06:24:00 PST

On the eve of the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Governor M. Jodi Rell today is calling on Connecticut residents, businesses and schools to join her in undertaking another statewide relief effort to aid the people of the Gulf States region who are still coping with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Lessons Learned From Hurricane Katrina: Preparing Your Institution for a Catastrophic Event

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 22:17:00 PST

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) member agencies (regulatory agencies) and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors are relaying comments made by financial institutions regarding lessons they learned from the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Financial institutions have responded admirably to the unique challenges raised by successive hurricane seasons with significant storms. Major challenges faced by these institutions included the following

NCD Makes Recommendations to Improve Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans for People with Disabilities in 2006 Hurricane Season

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 12:17:00 PST

The National Council on Disability (NCD) today released The Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on People with Disabilities: A Look Back and Remaining Challenges, a guide for the President, Congress, and other emergency planners to develop inclusive emergency preparedness and response plans.

Virtual Library Now Available on Improving Security at the Workplace

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 06:46:00 PST

The "Protect Your Workplace" campaign, recently launched by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, highlights avenues to protect all businesses, including federal government agencies, from both physical and cyber threats.

National Weather Service Declares Disneyland Resort Stormready

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 08:22:00 PST

Officials from the NOAA National Weather Service have declared Disneyland Resort in California as a StormReady community. Along with the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, the Disneyland Resort joins more than 1,070 StormReady communities throughout the United States and is one of 18 such communities in California.

Are You Ready? Financial Readiness Before a Disaster Strikes

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 15:32:00 PST

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, says that when it comes to preparing for situations like weather emergencies, financial readiness is as important as a flashlight with fully charged batteries. Leaving your home can be stressful, but knowing that your financial documents are up-to-date, in one place, and portable can make a big difference at a tense time.

Fire Captain Delivers Own Baby

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 08:10:00 PST

Chico �Fire Captain Dan Reese �responded� early Monday morning to what is normally a routine emergency call for firefighters but in this case, the patient was his wife, Jade, who was in labor with the couple�s second child .