Avagene Moore: Welcome to the EIIP Virtual Forum! Avagene Moore: Our topic for today is "National Emergency Managers Association 2001: News from the Mid-Year Conference." Before introducing our speakers, we have a few housekeeping remarks. Avagene Moore: For newcomers to the EIIP Virtual Forum, when you see a blue web address, you can click on it and the referenced Web page will appear in a browser window. Today, our speakers may be using a few URLs for your information. Avagene Moore: The order of business today is an introduction of our speakers, the formal presentation, and Q&A session so you can interact with our presenter. Prior to the Q&A segment, I will review the protocol for asking questions or making comments. Avagene Moore: Background information for today's session is at http://www.emforum.org/vforum/010228.htm -- there you will find bios on our speakers and other background information including the link to the new EMAP Web page. Please take the time to view those later. Avagene Moore: It is a pleasure to welcome our guest speakers today. Both have been with us before and we appreciate their time and effort on our behalf today. Avagene Moore: Mike Austin is the Director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management and currently chairs the NEMA Mitigation Committee. Avagene Moore: Emily DeMers coordinates the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) for NEMA. Our formal presentation will start with Emily giving us an overview of the recent NEMA Conference (Feb 10-14). ... Avagene Moore: She will introduce Mike for a dialogue about the Mitigation Committee; Emily will finish up with an update about EMAP and the new Web site. I will then review protocol for Q&A segment of today's discussion. Avagene Moore: Mike and Emily, thanks for being here today. Audience help me welcome both of our guests! Emily, I turn the floor to you now. Emily DeMers: Thanks Avagene Emily DeMers: More than 300 state directors and staff and federal government and private sector attendees participated in NEMA's Mid- Year Conference earlier this month just outside Washington, D.C. Some of the key plenary session presentations were on mitigation planning, Department of Justice needs assessment,... Emily DeMers: and animals in disasters - both dealing with livestock and pets in natural disaster situations and what to do when animal populations are the disaster, such as the case of animal-borne disease. Emily DeMers: NEMA heard from FEMA staff on current issues at that agency, and since new FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh's confirmation hearing was the week of the conference, several state directors caught the confirmation hearing in person. Emily DeMers: NEMA committees met during the first two days of the meeting and discussed a range of issues including: implementation of the Stafford Act amendments, emergency management standards and accreditation, the $100 million fire grant program, and various proposals in Washington to consolidate domestic preparedness activities in one agency or council. Emily DeMers: For specifics on committee reports and resolutions passed by NEMA, access the NEMA web site at www.nemaweb.org. Now I'm pleased to introduce Mike Austin, director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management, and co-chair of NEMA's Mitigation Committee, to give us more detail on the mitigation issues addressed at the Mid-Year Conference. Mike-- Mike Austin: The NEMA meeting was very productive. The Mitigation meeting went well. We are planning a meeting at EMI to discuss the Disaster Mitigation Act 2000 to work on implementation strategy for the part of the Act we are interested in. The meeting should be productive since the big 7 (NGA, NCSL, NLC, etc.) and NEMA will be present. Mike Austin: There are several parts of the Act that may be of interest to the group. The pre-disaster part of the Act requires FEMA to integrate all of their programs as well as all of the federal programs. Mike Austin: I have my copy of the Act out if there are specific questions, otherwise I will Emily to write about her observations of the NEMA meeting. Emily DeMers: The meeting covered a broad range of topics. I want to touch on a milestone I've been involved in. Emily DeMers: For those of you who are not familiar with the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), it is a voluntary accreditation process for state and local emergency management programs. ... Emily DeMers: It will have a self-assessment step, based on the Capability Assessment for Readiness (CAR), and a peer review, or on- site assessment, step, and then committee and commission review of the applicant program's documentation and the site visit team's report. ... Emily DeMers: EMAP is being created by NEMA, FEMA, IAEM and other national organizations, like National League of Cities, U.S. Department of Transportation, to name a few, to provide standards and a means of recognizing state and local programs that meet those standards. ... Emily DeMers: Accreditation will be based on compliance with the EMAP Standard, which is a written standard for emergency management programs based on the NFPA 1600 (Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Program). ... Emily DeMers: EMAP is getting ready to test its accreditation materials and procedures in an alpha pilot starting this summer/fall with the state programs of North Carolina and North Dakota - with timing, of course, depending to a degree on wildfire and hurricane events. Emily DeMers: the EMAP Interim Commission met for the first time. Up to that point, the accreditation project had been guided by a loosely organized steering committee. The nine-member commission is putting together its working committees and will meet again this fall. ... Emily DeMers: EMAP will finalize its standards and procedures materials this spring and summer and conduct the state pilot this summer/fall. Then we plan to open the process to all state programs in 2002 and pilot the process with several local emergency management programs. In fact, I already have a couple of local programs that have volunteered. But the local pilots haven't been chosen yet, so that's something else we'll be working on ... Emily DeMers: Anyway, there's a lot going on in the accreditation area, and for those of you who are interested in finding out more, we've created a new accreditation web site at www.emaponline.org. We also are looking for qualified emergency managers to serve as site visit team members in the future, so let me know if you think you might be interested. Emily DeMers: Also, back to the Mid-Year Conference generally, if you want to review materials and resolutions from the conference, you can access those on the NEMA web site in the coming weeks, at www.nemaweb.org. That concludes our remarks, but we would be happy to answer questions. For that we'll turn it back over to Avagene-- Avagene Moore: Thank you, Emily and Mike, for the overview. I was fortunate to attend the NEMA Conference and it was an excellent mid- year meeting. Avagene Moore: As promised, I will now review the procedure for keeping order during the Q&A portion of the session. ... Avagene Moore: Audience, please enter a question mark (?) to indicate you wish to be recognized; after inputting your ? to the screen, compose your question or comment but wait for recognition before hitting the Enter Key or clicking on Send. Amy Sebring: ? Avagene Moore: If you will, please address your question to Mike or Emily. J. P. DeMeritt: ? Avagene Moore: Amy, when you are ready. Steve Detwiler: ? Amy Sebring: Mike, do I understand the Act correctly in that only those states who have completed a Hazards Analysis ... Amy Sebring: will be eligible for funding for pre-disaster mitigation? What is the status ... Amy Sebring: of state hazards analyses? Mike Austin: That's a good question, we are working with FEMA on the criteria for the 20% Emily DeMers: States with a hazards analysis get a higher federal share paid, right Mike? Mike Austin: And they may allow states to get the 20 without meeting all of the criteria right off the bat Mike Austin: Part of the 20 can be used on state planning to get the hazard analysis Mike Austin: But you need a disaster to get there Avagene Moore: Thank you. ... Avagene Moore: J. P. next please. J. P. DeMeritt: Emily, what specific kinds of qualifications are you looking for EMAP site team members? Emily DeMers: We're finalizing details but in general... Emily DeMers: experienced emergency managers, perhaps with special areas of expertise ... Emily DeMers: who go through a brief -- part online- training workshop... Emily DeMers: and who aren't affiliated with the program they would be doing a site visit to. Avagene Moore: Audience, your questions and/or comments are most welcome. Input your ? now. Steve Detwiler, you are next, please. Steve Detwiler: Mike, could you give us more detailed information on the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 or where we can find a copy of it on-line? J. P. DeMeritt: ? Avagene Moore: ? C King: ? Karen Windon: ? Mike Austin: try thomas.loc, I think that's the site, or from the government printing office Avagene Moore: J. P, please. Amy Sebring: ? Avagene Moore: J. P., did you want to ask another question? Please do so now. J. P. DeMeritt: I think the benefits of an accreditation program are obvious to us, but selling it to the community may be a little more difficult. What advantages do you see to the program in the long run? For example, do you see insurance rates going down in accredited communities? Emily DeMers: Accountability and quality are hot topics right now so those are generally appealing benefits... Emily DeMers: Looking at tangible ways, like insurance rates, communities benefit from their program being accredited are something we plan to work on. Suggestions are appreciated. Avagene Moore: Emily, how much time on average do you see an onsite visit taking if emergency managers wish to participate in the program? Will expenses be paid by the program for travel, lodging, etc.? Emily DeMers: Expenses of site visitors will be paid by the applicant program... Emily DeMers: That will be a cost of seeking accreditation, which we are trying to keep reasonable. Avagene Moore: And about how much time from the job? Emily DeMers: I expect site visits to average from two to four days (think LA city, for example). Avagene Moore: Thanks, Cam, please. C King: Emily - notice that North Dakota might be one of your test sites and what they do affects us in Manitoba. Would you consider a Canadian as an observer and/or a team member for at least that site? We are interested on some type of accreditation programme for our communities - especially in my case with the Indian Reserves. Emily DeMers: That's a neat idea... Emily DeMers: I'd like to keep in mind possibilities for Canadian involvement in the accreditation program... Emily DeMers: I'll work on that with the commission and with your friends in N. Dakota. Karen Windon: Emily, Are the names of the EMAP commission members on the web site also? Emily DeMers: Yes, on www.emaponline.org ... Emily DeMers: There are three appointed by NEMA, three by IAEM and three by FEMA. Avagene Moore: Amy, you are next, please. Amy Sebring: Mike, were any specific positions adopted at the mid- year with respect to current issues? What issues does NEMA see as being critical in the coming year? Mike Austin: The implementation of the Act will be the big thing since it covers so much Mike Austin: It will take several months to work out all of the issues. Avagene Moore: ? Amy Sebring: ? Avagene Moore: Mike, has NEMA had an opportunity to meet with the new FEMA Director, Joe Allbaugh? Or is such a meeting planned and when? ray pena: ? Mike Austin: We are anxious to meet with him, but FEMA needs time to get settled... Mike Austin: he has indicated an interest, from John McGraw the Acting Deputy so perhaps soon. Avagene Moore: Amy, please. Amy Sebring: Mike was there any mention of the Tribal issues at the conference? This is mentioned in the Act, is it not? Mike Austin: Yes it is, FEMA must complete a study of Tribal capacity.. Mike Austin: and they have to do it within 1 year from enactment. Amy Sebring: ? Avagene Moore: Ray, your question, sir. We have time for several more questions, please input your ? now. ray pena: Was there much discussion of FEMA being altered to accommodate Domestic Preparedness as recommended by some? What was the general sense? Good/bad/indifferent? Emily DeMers: There are several proposals in Washington to consolidate in one agency all the federal domestic preparedness/terrorism efforts. Mike Austin: John addressed the conference and indicated that there was discussion but no specifics. Emily DeMers: While NEMA is not currently backing any one proposal to consolidate federal domestic preparedness, we talked about it a good bit, and ... Emily DeMers: have offered a set of guiding principles NEMA suggests. Those are on the NEMA web site at www.nemaweb.org, I think under the Terrorism Committee materials. Avagene Moore: Amy, next, please. Amy Sebring: Ray asked my question ... Amy Sebring: Ava, would you like to put in some of your observations from attending the conference? Avagene Moore: I was impressed with the conference. Was a true working conference on NEMA's part ... Avagene Moore: Was also struck by the mention of national security several times. I have been watching the news since then and wonder if we will see more emphasis in emergency management.... Avagene Moore: Mike, as the State Director of AZ, do you feel we will be more involved in National Security? Just your own gut feelings, please. Mike Austin: I hope not, terrorism is difficult since... J. P. DeMeritt: ? Mike Austin: whatever you are prepared for has to be overcome to be effective.. Mike Austin: as a terrorist incident, that means you always have to be building capacity. Avagene Moore: If I might add one other point: NEMA does a lot of committee reporting and .... Avagene Moore: has key people meeting with committees with other meeting attendees observing. ... Isabel McCurdy: ? Avagene Moore: A little different from many conferences but very effective I think because you see how things get done. I always enjoy the NEMA meetings. Avagene Moore: J. P., you have a question. J. P. DeMeritt: Mike, like Texas, you have a long, porous border with Mexico. Do you suppose that might pose threats other than terrorism that we should be concerned about from a national security perspective? ray pena: ? Mike Austin: Every couple of weeks the BP nabs someone who is thought to be a terrorist.. Mike Austin: and it is very much a concern. Avagene Moore: Isabel, please. Isabel McCurdy: Emily, what criteria would a program need to meet to merit selection for accreditation? Emily DeMers: Accreditation will be based on compliance with the EMAP Standard... Emily DeMers: which is based on the NFPA 1600 standard. Roger Kershaw: ? Emily DeMers: A program will do a self-assessment... Emily DeMers: but a key component is that accreditation will ask for documentation of its answers to the self-assessment. Avagene Moore: Ray, please. ray pena: What do we mean by "national security?" Amy Sebring: ? Avagene Moore: To whom are you addressing the question, Ray? ray pena: Emily, Mike... Emily DeMers: How did J.P. mean it? Avagene Moore: J. P.? What is it to you? J. P. DeMeritt: I meant the ability of the American people and governments at all levels to be safe and secure within our borders. Mike Austin: The federal programs OJP, DOD define it as anything that poses a threat to a broad range of issues.. Mike Austin: including threats to economy, cyber and WMD. J. P. DeMeritt: ? Avagene Moore: Thanks, Mike and J. P. Roger K. please. Roger Kershaw: How would someone interested in becoming a visiting team member contact you? Emily DeMers: Send me an e-mail, and I'll send you an info form to send back to us.... Emily DeMers: edemers@csg.org Avagene Moore: Amy, please. Amy Sebring: Comment on JP's question. One of the issues re the border that is very current is the expansion of trucking from Mexico under NAFTA which is moving again. Hazardous materials and truck safety standards may be a concern to watch. Avagene Moore: Thanks. J. P., you have another question? Amy Sebring: ? J. P. DeMeritt: I'm typing -- come back to me please. Avagene Moore: OK. Amy. Amy Sebring: On the tribal issue, Mike do you expect NEMA will have a role in the study or be consulted by FEMA? Mike Austin: Yes, I am working with FEMA on the construction of the question form.. Mike Austin: we are meeting in Green Bay the last week in March... Mike Austin: to discuss the questions with several tribal reps. Amy Sebring: ? Avagene Moore: J. P., are you ready now? Please go ahead. J. P. DeMeritt: A comment, actually . . . Other issues with national security implications include infectious diseases and water. As population pressures mount in Central and South America, we might expect to see more people moving to the US/Mexico border region. Unrest caused by labor problems and water shortages may cross the borders. And as diseases come out of the jungles, they'll move north with immigrants. Avagene Moore: Thanks for that comment. Amy, you have another question? Amy Sebring: Mike, I would suggest that you contact Cam King, or Cam talk to you. He has had a great deal of experience with tribal issues/needs in Canada that may be helpful. Avagene Moore: Good idea, Amy. Mike Austin: We need all the help we can get. Avagene Moore: We have time for one or two more questions. Cam, would you like to input your email address for Mike? Avagene Moore: Other questions, anyone? Amy Sebring: ? Avagene Moore: Amy, please. Amy Sebring: The next NEMA meeting will be in August? .... Emily DeMers: September in Montana Amy Sebring: Any particular focus planned for that meeting? Emily DeMers: We are working on agenda now... Emily DeMers: the DMA implementation will likely still be an issue. Amy Sebring: Thanks Emily. C King: Mike/Emily - address is stirlng@mb.sympatico.ca Cam Avagene Moore: Our time for Q&A is up. Mike and Emily, thank you for being with us today. You did a good job for us and we hope you enjoyed the experience as well. Please stand by while we take care of a few announcements. Avagene Moore: First of all, the transcript of today's session will be posted later today. The reformatted versions will be available by Friday or Monday. Emily DeMers: Thanks for everyone's interest and good questions and comments. Avagene Moore: We are delighted to welcome new Partners. If you and your organization or affiliated group are not currently an EIIP Partner, please see criteria and Partnership form at http://www.emforum.org/partners/criteria.htm . Avagene Moore: Amy, would you please tell us about the EIIP session for next week? Amy Sebring: Thank you Ava. We are still waiting for confirmation, however, next week we are planning a session with representatives from the National Domestic Preparedness Office. Our speaker will be Richard Sanders. Amy Sebring: The mission of the NDPO is "to coordinate all federal efforts ... to assist state and local emergency responders with planning, training, equipment, and exercise needs necessary to respond to a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) incident." Amy Sebring: Please join us then. Back to you Ava. Avagene Moore: Thank you, Amy. Avagene Moore: Thanks to all participants today. You may chat awhile longer if you like - no need to use question marks now. Please help us express our appreciation to Emily and Mike for today's fine session.