Avagene Moore: Welcome to the EIIP Virtual Forum! Today we are in the Virtual Classroom and have a guest speaker whom we will introduce shortly. Avagene Moore: But first --- if this is your first time in our Virtual Forum audience, we ask you to note that any URLs used in our discussions become live links. For example, the background page for this session is posted at ... Avagene Moore: http://www.emforum.org/vclass/991117.htm Avagene Moore: If you click on the blue link, the page will come up in your browser window. Upon clicking on the first link, you may lose your chat screen. Go to the bottom of your screen and click on the EIIP button and the screen will reappear. Avagene Moore: The order of our session today will be introduction of our guest speaker, her formal remarks, and a period of Q&A. When we are ready for the Q&A portion of our dialogue, I will review the procedures by which we keep order in the Virtual Forum. Avagene Moore: It is a pleasure to welcome back today's speaker. She has been online with us several times and must be commended for her active support, participation and assistance in EIIP efforts. Avagene Moore: Janet Dilling is currently the Director of the Florida Public Affairs Center at Florida State University. She is also President of TEAM Simulations, Inc, an international firm providing change response simulations, business leadership programs and learning events, and crisis management training and exercises to the public and private sectors. Avagene Moore: Janet has over 15 years experience in crisis management in the military, local and state government, and the private sector. Avagene Moore: Past-President of the American Society of Professional Emergency Planners (ASPEP), Janet is active in several other national and state emergency management professional organizations with a record of service on many committees. For example, Janet now chairs the International Development Committee for the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM.) Avagene Moore: Janet holds a Bachelor's Degree from Salem College, North Carolina, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Idaho. She is currently working toward her Ph.D. at FSU. Janet holds the rank of Major in the US Army Reserve. Avagene Moore: As you can see, Janet is an extremely busy person in the emergency management field. In fact, she returned from the 47th Annual IAEM Conference late last night. We are most appreciative that she is willing to be with us today. Avagene Moore: Janet will tell us about her work at Florida Public Affairs Center, the emergency management certificate program at FSU, and their future plans for distance learning. Please help me welcome our speaker --- Janet Dilling. Janet Dilling: Welcome everyone.... I did not expect that intro.... Janet Dilling: We at FPAC are proud to be a partner of the EIIP... Janet Dilling: Avagene has asked me to tell you a little about our Center and some of the things we do.... Janet Dilling: Hopefully without boring you..... Janet Dilling: We are a center of Florida State University... Janet Dilling: Our purpose is to serve state, local, and national governments through applied research, training, and technical assistance... Janet Dilling: Our specialty areas are training and curriculum development, emergency management (we have three professional emergency managers on board), information systems, and policy analysis. Janet Dilling: Although we do work outside of emergency management...., Janet Dilling: .. today I will concentrate on some examples of the things we have worked on or are working on that are in the field of emergency management that you might be interested in. Janet Dilling: We have developed..... Janet Dilling: ..a series of tabletop exercises for the City of Jacksonville to help with their interagency coordination in a disaster. Janet Dilling: ..a course for the state Division of Emergency Management to train their Rapid Impact Assessment Team (RIAT)..... Janet Dilling: and a Hurricane Shelter Evacuation (HSE) Training Course written for engineers to provide guidance in structurally sound construction and retrofit evaluations for Florida's shelters.... Janet Dilling: ..provided staff direction for a Governor's appointed Commission to provide recommendations as a result of the terrible wildfires Florida experienced in 1998.... Janet Dilling: ..provided Strategic Management training to the International Association of Emergency Managers during their last two annual conferences... Janet Dilling: But one of the coolest things we have done in emergency management, I think, is the.... Janet Dilling: Resource Identification Strategy Janet Dilling: - a web based database that provides searchable information on funding programs for local and state emergency managers... Janet Dilling: ..as well as POC's, application procedures, forms, etc... and examples of actual projects done using the funding.... Janet Dilling: This is particularly helpful for identifying recovery and mitigation funding... Janet Dilling: Why don't you take a few minutes and play around on the RIS.. (Avagene, will you put it up for them)... Avagene Moore: http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fhcd/fnr/ris/index.htm Janet Dilling: Try hitting "Programs" and then hit "Search".... It should bring 300 plus programs up for you to choose from.... Janet Dilling: Go to Projects and type "Lift Station" into project line... You will see lift station projects that have been funded by different programs.. Avagene Moore: (We will give you a few moments to look at this Web page, or you can bookmark it and go back later if you like.) Janet Dilling: Although we did this project for Florida, it encompasses sample information from most of the states and has been used by other emergency managers all over the country... Janet Dilling: Any questions before I move on to a few projects that we have in the works now that I think you might be interested in? Amy Sebring: ? Avagene Moore: Please input a ? if you have a question of Janet at this point. Avagene Moore: Amy, Amy Sebring: Are you keeping this resource database updated Janet? Janet Dilling: We are in the process of awaiting a contract to update it with more current information.... Janet Dilling: IF there are not other questions.... Janet Dilling: We are presently working on an exciting project that will establish data collection procedures/forms for identifying the actual and projected economic injury to an area post disaster.... Shawn Redfern: At some point, either now or later...I would like to hear more about the table-top simulation that you designed... Janet Dilling: After we identify the critical information needs, design the web based data collection forms, and collect the information... Janet Dilling: we will provide it to the University of Florida (we do talk outside the football field)... Janet Dilling: ..and they will run the information through a computer model to project short and long term economic injury. Janet Dilling: This should provide much better data to justify supplemental and program funding. Janet Dilling: Shawn, regarding the tabletops.....we ran a series of them for groups of ESF's within the EOC structure, involving different hazards Janet Dilling: We used simulated weather reports, newsbreaks etc. to facilitate the exchange and discussion... Janet Dilling: Did that answer your question? Shawn Redfern: Yes Janet Dilling: We are also working on a project to improve Fannie Mae retrofit loan approvals.... Janet Dilling: ..and web based training/education designed to help contractors and consumers understand the benefits of post disaster mitigation and how to fund it.... Peter Picanso: Sorry to sound like the new kid on the block, but ESF doesn't compute this early in the morning. What's an ESF? Janet Dilling: Sorry about that Peter... my fault... ESF stands for Emergency Support Functions... Janet Dilling: FEMA and some of the states, and some counties use them as part of their Emergency Operations Plan to identify specific functions in a disaster. Janet Dilling: e.g., ESF 1 - transportation. Janet Dilling: I might mention, as an additional duty... Peter Picanso: So many acronyms so little time. Avagene Moore: (Please hold any further questions or comments until we get to that portion of our program.) Janet Dilling: ...I also serve as an Adjunct Instructor for the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy's emergency management courses and direct the Emergency Management Certificate here. Janet Dilling: It is residence based at present but we are offering off site offerings of the program and are looking at providing it as a distance learning alternative in the near future..... Janet Dilling: Any questions on anything....? Janet Dilling: That is it for the formal part of my program..... Avagene Moore: Thank you, Janet. Excellent information on some very innovative projects! May I remind everyone about our procedures for Q&A ... Peter Picanso: I'm interested in your plans for distance learning programs. Avagene Moore: If you have a question or comment for Janet, please input a question mark (?) to the chat screen. Compose your question or remarks, but hold it until you are recognized by name --- then hit Send or Enter. Questions and comments will be taken in order they are received on the screen. Avagene Moore: First question of Janet, please. Cam King: ? Avagene Moore: Cam, please. Cam King: is it possible to get samples of your table top exercises? Rick Tobin: ? Janet Dilling: Peter... We have a certificate program that consists of 5 courses (15 semester hours) - we are planning within the next year to start offering them via the web.... Avagene Moore: (Janet, take either Peter's question or Cam's.) Janet Dilling: Cam, Email me at jdilling@mailer.fsu.edu and we will see how we can help you.... Shawn Redfern: ? Avagene Moore: Rick, you are next. Your question, please. Rick Tobin: The site is great. If you can keep this update, it will be a tremendous aid for the field. You mentioned the course for engineers for choosing/evaluating shelters. Is that available anywhere online, and is it in coordination with the ARC standards? Rick Tobin: Sorry about the typos. Janet Dilling: You can probably get the Shelter Evaluation course from the Florida Division of Emergency Management Rick.. I think it is a pretty good course. Make sure you get the software copy - lots of animations.. Avagene Moore: Shawn, please submit your question. Janet Dilling: Yes, it is coordinated with the ARC - ARC 4496? I think... Janet Dilling: I might have that wrong...... Shawn Redfern: Actually a comment. Janet, could I please contact you for more info on your table-top game? Amy Sebring: ? Janet Dilling: Sure Shawn.... see my email address above.... Shawn Redfern: Thanks! Mike Krumlauf: ? Avagene Moore: Amy, please. Amy Sebring: Janet, I think strategic planning is something that we need to see taught widely. Is this one of your certificate courses, and do you think it will go up on the Web? Amy Sebring: or as one of your distance learning courses I mean. Janet Dilling: Amy, I have thought about doing that.... Would if we thought there was enough interest. Amy Sebring: How many here would be interested? Amy Sebring: <-- Me! Janet Dilling: We have a series of 7 modules that we offer as training courses. Avagene Moore: I would be. Carl Sexton: Carl yes Peter Picanso: I would. Avagene Moore: (Please let Janet know if you are interested.) Rick Wood: I'd be interested LindaUnderwoodCERTLA: Me, too Cam King: I would be interested in looking at the material - not sure about taking the course right now Janet Dilling: Well, perhaps we have started something. Amy Sebring: If David Crews were here, I know he would be ... Peter Picanso: ? Amy Sebring: he is ALWAYS talking about the need! Avagene Moore: Mike, you have a question or comment? Mike Krumlauf: I got here late so if this was already covered forgive me in advance. About 18 months ago I took a FEMA class to choose/evaluate structures (i.e. shelters, EOC's, 911 centers, main gov't centers) is this course like that one only directed towards shelters? .... My boss says I can be interested in anything that does not cost her money. Janet Dilling: This is a different course - engineer slant - offers CEU's for engineers - not that familiar with one you are talking about. Recommend you call FL DEM (Danny Kilcollins) if you are interested in it. Avagene Moore: Peter, your question, please. Peter Picanso: I'm interested in your certificate program (distance learning) how can I find out more about what's offered and what the requirements are for a certificate? Avagene Moore: (Please input ? if you have a question or comment of Janet.) Janet Dilling: Peter, if you email me at jdilling@mailer.fsu.edu I will send you a brochure of our program. Amy Sebring: ! Peter Picanso: Thanks. Avagene Moore: Amy, your comment. Amy Sebring: Was going to say hope their Website will be updated soon? Amy Sebring: But I have a question also ... Rick Tobin: ? Avagene Moore: Go ahead, Amy. Amy Sebring: Janet I am very interested in this latest economic vulnerability project you are working on ... Janet Dilling: Amy is referring to our FPAC Website which is boring (university stuff) but I hope to make more exciting. Amy Sebring: is EDA involved with that? Will University of Florida run the data you collect through various scenarios? Janet Dilling: Amy, EDA is one of the agencies we are coordinating with..... Amy Sebring: (EDA = Economic Development Agency, I believe) Janet Dilling: As I mentioned UF will run data through a model (not based on scenarios) - it is a forecast model to look at long-term economic injury. Amy Sebring: Due to what? Avagene Moore: ? Janet Dilling: Due to disaster....The background of this project came from the wildfires.... Janet Dilling: EDA had Price Waterhouse do a study to determine economic injury... Janet Dilling: They came back with the finding that there was no economic injury... Janet Dilling: The study was conducted well, but it was thought by DEM and others that the indicators had not been the correct one.... Janet Dilling: We are trying to determine which variables in what sectors (i.e., agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, etc...) are needed to be evaluated. Amy Sebring: I see, thank you, but it looks like there is potential there for broader application in future perhaps. Avagene Moore: Rick Tobin, your turn. Rick Tobin: Regarding the strategic management course--one of my concerns is that no matter how much strategic planning is done (like an annual work plan) our jobs are often driven by "whim management" by those over us who have no idea what we do for a living. Does the course address managing up? Ron Gloshen: ? Janet Dilling: The Strategic Management curriculum covers all aspects of the process, including planning, commitment, strategic direction, goals..... Janet Dilling: Implementing the plan and evaluating the results of the plan.... a whole team process. Avagene Moore: Janet, I want to look at the RIS page in-depth. What type of reaction are you getting to this? Is it fairly new? Publicized, etc? Janet Dilling: Did that answer your question Rick... Not sure I understood it completely. Avagene Moore: (Sorry if I jumped in to quick with my question, Janet.) Janet Dilling: The reaction on RIS has been very positive. It has had a lot of hits. It has been up a couple of years, starting from the beta version. Avagene Moore: Ron, your question. Ron Gloshen: I am also interested in the strategic management course. Is there a text book that is being used or is available? Sometimes we may not be able to take the course but would be very interested in reading more on the subject. Janet Dilling: I have had calls from all over the country..... telling me they were using it after a disaster.... Janet Dilling: It is designed however to be used as a mitigation tool before disaster.... Also has response and preparedness funding sources in it. Janet Dilling: Ron, we have participant workbooks for the course. But I could refer you to a couple of text/books on the subject if you email me. Avagene Moore: Any other questions of Janet? Peter Picanso: ? Ron Gloshen: Thanks...I will. Avagene Moore: Peter, please. Walt Ireland: ? What about disaster communications.....telecommunications pre and during a disaster? It appears that your interests are in post-disaster!? Also, I would be interested in a strategic mgt. course. Peter Picanso: At what level is this taught undergrad or graduate? Janet Dilling: We have not done anything yet on telecommunications, Walt, other than cover them in exercises, but we are available.... (Ha) Amy Sebring: ? Janet Dilling: Peter, if you are talking about strategic management - it is continuing education. If you are talking about Emergency Management curriculum - it is both undergrad and graduate. Avagene Moore: Amy, please. Peter Picanso: Thanks. Amy Sebring: Janet, you sound very busy with current projects, but do you have any long range goals, dreams for the center? Avagene Moore: (Time for one last question. Anyone?) Janet Dilling: Amy, you know me... Yes we would like to continue to push the envelope in emergency management practices, but also would like to be involved in more EM related research. Avagene Moore: (Plug in your ? if you wish to speak.) Avagene Moore: Our time is up for today's Virtual Classroom. It has been a pleasure to have everyone here today. Audience, we thank you for your kind attention and participation. ... Janet Dilling: I thank everyone as well. Avagene Moore: Janet, we are very thankful that you have returned to the Virtual Forum once again to do a presentation for us. For the benefit of our audience, Janet is the Point of Contact for both the FSU Florida Public Affairs Center and TEAM Simulations, Inc. -- both are formal Partners in the EIIP. Avagene Moore: Any last comment, Janet, before I ask Amy to give us next week's events plus an update on the EIIP Pledge Drive? Carl Sexton: thanks Janet, Avagene, Amy Janet Dilling: Just pledge.... The EIIP is important. Avagene Moore: Amy, what's coming up next week? Pledge Drive status please? Amy Sebring: Thanks Avagene. Next week our Round Table will feature a new partner, Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue with Steven Labov. See http://www.gpsar.org/ , a very cool site. Amy Sebring: Next Wednesday, I will follow up the session we did yesterday on Internet conferencing with a presentation on TeamWave Workplace. We will also follow the session with an actual demo ... Amy Sebring: and if you would like to participate, go to http://www.teamwave.com and download the 4.3 client beta and install. Please note, if you are behind a firewall, you will most likely not be able to access the server. Check with your system administrator to see if you can access Port 6577. Amy Sebring: We have one new pledge since yesterday from Ed Dietrich for a total of 95! Amy Sebring: If you have not pledged to join us for one or more sessions each month, please see http://www.emforum.org/eiip/pledge.htm Amy Sebring: That's it Avagene. Avagene Moore: Thanks, Amy. Hope everyone had a chance to speak. You are welcome to stay and chat for a few minutes if you like and to express your appreciation to Janet. However, the EIIP Virtual Classroom is officially adjourned for Wednesday, November 17.