Keystone Emergency Management Association

FEMA Updates Core Capabilities Development Sheets with Revised Training Courses The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released 48 updated Core Capability Development Sheets. These updated versions include revised suggested training for each core capability. The Core Capability Development Sheets provide state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions with suggestions for how to improve their core capabilities and close capability gaps identified through the Threa...t and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA), the Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR), or other capability analysis. #corecapability https://www.fema.gov//mission-core-capa/development-sheets

Join us for the next KEMA Coffee Break on March 23, 2021, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM with the topic of Healthcare Disaster Preparedness. Register by clicking: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event or scanning the QR code in the graphic.

REMINDER: the KEMA Annual Meeting is Thursday, November 12th at 6PM. All members should have received an e-mail to register via Member Planet. Election Nominations: https://bit.ly/KEMAOfficerNominations Award Nominations: https://bit.ly/KEMAAwardsNominations All nominations must be received by November 5, 2020!

Join KEMA on November 10, 2020 from 2PM to 3PM for another Coffee Break. The topic this month is Crisis Communications. Register here: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event

***TRAINING OPPORTUNITY*** Butler County Department of Emergency Services is hosting a virtual training on Fall-Winter Weather as part of the Sky Warn program w...ith the National Weather Service-Pittsburgh. When: Tuesday October 27, 2020 Time: 6:00pm until 09:00pm If you would like to receive this training, please email [email protected] with the following information: Name, Address, Municipality, Phone Number where you can be reached, and Email Address. Once this information has been received in its entirety, an email link will be sent to you with "how to attend" the meeting. Spaces are limited! For more information, please see our emergency services webpage at www.butlercountypa.gov

The KEMA Website has a brand new look! It is still a work in progress, but check out the fresh new look and additional features, some still in progress, at http://www.KEMA-PA.org

As September comes to a close and the observation of National Preparedness Month does too, being prepared NEVER has a time frame! Here is a recap of this year's theme: "Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today. ~Make A Plan ~Build A Kit ~Prepare for Disasters... ~ Teach Youth About Preparedness Please go to www.ready.gov or www.readypa.gov for much more information, checklists, videos, etc. Remember to be prepared, not surprised! See more

For the last 8 months or so we (across the state and country) have focused on COVID-19 and rightly so HOWEVER it is as equally important to remember the FLU is still out there as well! National Influenza "Flu" Vaccination Week National Influenza Flu Vaccination Week is December 6-12, 2020! Did you know it is not too late to get a flu vaccine?... Getting a flu vaccine to protect yourself, your family and your community is so important, especially this year. Our healthcare systems are being overloaded with COVID-19 patients. By getting a flu vaccine, you are helping reduce the burden on our healthcare systems. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health for locations you can get your flu shot. See more

Last night at the 2020 KEMA Annual Meeting (virtually) the following were the recipients of the following awards: ~Greg Leathers (Region 13 Task Force) received the Harry Robidoux Award for Excellence in Emergency Management ~Paul Falavolito (White Oak Boro, Allegheny County) and Gene Komondor (North Huntingdon Twp, Westmoreland County) received the Municipal Coordinator Award for Excellence ~John Nicklin (Mercer County) received the Paul R. Beatty Partnership Award for Coope...ration and Collaboration ~Amy Marree (Butler County) received the Spirit of KEMA Award Congratulations and well deserved honors!

National Preparedness Month topic for today's post is Individuals with Disabilities...... Build a Kit In addition to having your basic survival supplies, an emergency kit should have items to meet your individual needs in various emergencies. Consider the items you use on a daily basis and which ones you may need to add to your kit. Tips for People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing A weather radio (with text display and a flashing alert)... Extra hearing-aid batteries Pen and paper (in case you have to communicate with someone who does not know sign language) Tips for People Who are Blind or Have Low Vision Mark emergency supplies with Braille labels or large print. Keep a list of your emergency supplies and where you bought them on a portable flash drive or make an audio file that is kept in a safe place where you can access it. Keep communication devices for your particular needs, such as a Braille or deaf-blind communications device as part of your emergency supply kit. Tips for People with Speech Disability If you use an augmentative communications device or other assistive technologies plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if it is lost or destroyed. Keep model information and note where the equipment came from (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.). Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases and/or pictogram. Tips for People with a Mobility Disability If you use a power wheelchair have a lightweight manual chair available as a backup if possible. Know the size and weight of your wheelchair in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported. Show others how to operate your wheelchair. Purchase an extra battery for a power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices. If you can't purchase an extra battery, find out what agencies, organizations or local charitable groups can help you buy one. Keep extra batteries on a trickle charger at all times. Consider keeping a patch kit or can of sealant for flat tires and/or extra inner tube if wheelchair or scooter is not puncture proof. Keep an extra mobility device such as a cane or walker if you use one. Keep a portable air pump for wheelchair tires. If you use a seat cushion to protect your skin or maintain your balance and you must evacuate, have an extra cushion to take with you. Tips for Individuals with Sensory Disabilities (including autism spectrum disorder) For people with sensory disabilities, this may include: Handheld electronic devices (loaded with movies and games) Spare chargers Sheets and twine or a small pop up tent (to decrease visual stimulation in a busy room or to provide instant privacy) Headphones (to decrease auditory distractions) Comfort snacks For more information, please go to www.ready.gov/disabilities See more

**REMINDER** 2020 KEMA Annual Meeting TONIGHT Tonight the Keystone Emergency Management Association will be having its Annual Meeting virtually and will start promptly at 6:00PM. Please check your e-mail for connection information.... Due to the virtual nature of this meeting, for transparency, and so that you may participate in the bylaw amendment voting and officer elections, please connect via a computing device with camera capabilities. A sign-in/roll-call will be completed via an online form and we will also use that format for the voting processes. If this is not feasible, you can still participate via the phone number as provided, but your vote will not be able to be recorded and you will not be able to vote on the bylaw amendments or the officer election. See you tonight! Sincerely, The KEMA Board of Directors

It’s Time. Check and Change Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Batteries REMEMBER......to turn your clocks back one hour when Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 3, 2019, at 2:00 a.m. As you set the new time, it is also the perfect time to check and change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.