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OMRC Co-Coordinator
Honored
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Dr.
Forrest Smith,
Ohio Medical Reserve Corps Co-Coordinator, was honored in March
by the Ohio Community Service Council (OCSC) with the STAR Award
for his efforts creating Ohio Medical Reserve Corps.
The
Ohio Community Service Council initiated the STAR Award,
to be presented annually in honor of individuals, groups
and/or organizations whose efforts have supported, strengthened,
and furthered volunteerism throughout the state.
”There
are many outstanding award programs that honor the tremendous
service and impact of volunteers in their local communities,
“ said Alan Penn, OCSC Chair. “The OCSC STAR
Award is unique because it recognizes those whose efforts
have strengthened, supported, or expanded volunteerism
and service statewide.” |
 Left
to Right: Alan Penn OCSC Chair, Dr. Forrest Smith, Kitty
Burcsu, Executive Director,
Ohio Community Service Council
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New Legislation
to stiffen penalties for crimes against VIPS Volunteers
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On
April 5, 2007 legislation was introduced by Representatives
Driehaus and Mallory to increase penalties for crimes against
Volunteer in Police Service (VIPS) Volunteers. House Bill 145
provides that the penalties for felonious assault, aggravated
assault, and assault committed against a participant in a citizens
on patrol program are the same as the penalties for felonious
assault, aggravated assault, and assault committed against a
peace officer.
Learn
more about House Bill 145
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Ohio
Medical Reserve Corps attends National Conference
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Ohio
Contingency Leading Nation
Ohio
state and local MRC coordinators descended on Providence Rhode
Island in April to attend the Medical Reserve Corps National
Leadership Conference.
Ohio's
69 local units account for more than 10 percent of all the nations
units, by far the most in the country.
Coordinators
attended sessions including communications, planning, volunteer
management and funding. Networking sessions allowed conversation
among local, regional and state coordinators. Members from the
National Office were also present to address "bigger picture"
issues including core competencies, legal matters, and advertising
campaigns. The United States Surgeon General, Kenneth Moritsugu,
once again attended the conference speaking as a key note speaker
and taking the time to talk to coordinators at the regional
breakouts. His main message emphasized that MRC units are making
a difference building safer, stronger and healthier communities.
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Ohio
Citizen Corps Participates in Congressional Briefing
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On June 1,
2007 Ohio Citizen Citizen Corps took part in an informational
session concerning emergency management and community
preparedness for state and federal legislators . Hosted
by the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA), presentations
were conducted by representatives of Federal Emergency
Management Agency Region V, OEMA and Ohio Citizen Corps.
Ohio Citizen Corps Executive Director, Kitty Burcsu, spoke
about the development of Ohio Citizen Corps Councils and
Medical Reserve Corps Units. She also emphasized the state's
unique infrastructure, which includes Lead Volunteer Centers
and the Ohio Citizen Corps Database.
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Big Plans
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Knox County
Citizen Corps Planning Huge Event
The First Responders Appreciation Day is a go! Knox County Citizen
Corps will honor all of the county's first responders with a
day of food, music and fun. The appreciation day will be held
on Sunday, August 5 at Hilliar Township Memorial Park. Chairperson
Marwood Hallett has confirmed plans with the local Fire Chiefs,
the Knox County Commissioners, the media and Regional Planning
committees. The initial "steering" committee under
the direction of chairperson Paul Higgins, has been very busy
with the details of scheduling the Township Park, reviewing
liability issues, developing the budget and outlining the committee
responsibilities and activities.
The appreciation day is expected to draw 2,000 people, which
includes first responders and their families. Local support
has been tremendous, as all food provided at the event will
be from Knox County.
Stay
tuned for more details about this outstanding recognition effort.
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CERT
Team Called into Action!
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DELAWARE - Central Ohio
was hit with the worst winter storm in three years February
12, 2007. Delaware County was placed under a level 3 snow emergency
with roads that were nearly impassable. Grady Hospital requested
the assistance of 4x4 vehicles and volunteers to transport key
hospital staff to and from the hospital. Many hospital employees
lived in communities untouched by road crews until the main
roads had been cleared.
Delaware
County CERT Team members responded to the call with 4x4 vehicles
and transported staff and Home Health Care nurses. One such
case was a chemotherapy patient out in the country and the home
care nurse would not have been able to get her small car down
the patient's driveway. "We are here to provide whatever
services we can and our objective with the CERT program is to
bridge the gaps in volunteer services throughout the county."
said Joseph Bobot, CERT Program Coordinator and Vice-president
of the Delaware County Citizen Corps Council.
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CERT Train-the-Trainer
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The
Ohio EMA Plans Branch coordinated the Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) Train-the-Trainer course, held at the Circleville
Fire Department on March 24 and 25. The Pickaway County EMA
hosted the training. Twenty-five citizen participants were trained
in disaster preparedness and learned about the hazards that
might impact their area: basic disaster response skills; fire
safety; light search and rescue techniques; team organization;
and disaster medical operations. By using the training learned
in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members are trained
to assist others after an event, when professional responders
are not immediately available to help. CERT members are also
encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking
a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their
community.
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Teen CERT
Train-the-Trainer
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The Teen CERT Train-the-Trainer
course, developed by Eastern Michigan University (EMU) under
a Competitive Training Grant from the DHS Office of Grants and
Training, has been approved as an official course for national
promotion. The course prepares participants to present the national
CERT Training Program to teens. DHS approval opens up opportunities
for States and local CERT Programs, as well as schools, to access
the Train-the-Trainer course and use DHS funding to support
it. “Teen CERT is designed to change the culture of disaster
preparedness and response by empowering youth in disaster mitigation,”
said Gerald “Skip” Lawver, associate professor for
EMU’s School of Technology. The Teen CERT training also
prepares students for a role in their school’s Disaster
Response Plan as additional trained resources in the event of
a disaster.
The
Teen CERT Train-the-Trainer Course covers instructional techniques
for delivering the training to teens and steps to establish
successful CERT training for high school or youth groups, including
working with students, parents, and school administrators.
Train-the-Trainer participants are also given ideas and direction
to maintain and sustain local Teen CERT—such as partnering
with local emergency management, and securing ongoing financial
and political support. The design of the recently approved
course fits the National CERT Program effort to develop trainer
instruction for delivery of the standard CERT curriculum to
a range of targeted groups, such as teens, college campuses,
businesses, and people with disabilities. Anyone interested
in the Teen CERT Train-the-Trainer Course should email cert@dhs.gov.
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Ohio Citizen
Corps Grant Program Web site
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The
Ohio EMA Web site has added a new page to its site, linking
users to the Ohio Citizen Corps Program Grant. The page provides
links to a variety of Citizen Corps programs, grants and
documents available in Ohio including:
* Citizen Corps in Ohio
* Ohio Citizen
Corps Program Grant Forms
* Federal Forms, Assurances and Disclosures
* Grant and Administrative References
* Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars
* Financial Management Guides
* Federal References and Laws
* Citizen Corps Program Documents
The Citizen
Corps mission is to bring community and government leaders together
to coordinate the involvement of community members in emergency
preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery. Ohio
EMA collaborates with the Ohio Community Service Council as
a member of the Ohio Citizen Corps Council in delivering Citizen
Corps programs to the state.
The new Web page
is available at www.ema.ohio.gov/citizencorps.asp
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Tis' the
Season for a Weather Radio
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Severe
Weather Warnings and Alerts:
Do you have your NOAA Weather Radio
All Hazards/Public Alert Radio?
Severe weather is one hazard that can strike any time of year,
and, in many areas, there are no community alerts or warning systems
in place. The tornadoes that struck Southern Ohio earlier this
Spring is an example underscoring the importance of having a warning
device, such as a NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, in your own
home or business.
Some readers will recall that in September and October 2006, the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department
of Education, and Citizen Corps joined efforts to distribute NOAA
Weather Radio All Hazards/Public Alert Radios to
public schools around the Nation. However, these radios are not
just for schools. They are a simple and affordable preparedness
tool that anyone can obtain online and in many stores.
When deciding on a radio, NOAA suggests looking for receivers
that carry the “Public Alert” logo. The Public Alert
Standard (CEA-2009) was developed by the Consumer Electronics
Association in conjunction with the National Weather Service.
Devices carrying
the Public Alert logo meet certain technical standards and come
with a number of features, including:
• Tone alarm prior to a broadcast, which activates the radio
receiver even if the audio is turned off.
• SAME technology, or Specific Alert Message Encoding, which
allows users to specify the particular area for which they wish
to receive alerts.
• Events alert selection, which allows the user to turn
off the alarm for certain events that may not be important to
the user.
• Battery backup to provide constant coverage during power
outages that often occur during storms.
• External antenna jack, allows users to connect to a larger
antenna (indoors or outdoors) in areas where reception is less
reliable.
Help inform people
in your community about the importance of including a NOAA Weather
Radio All Hazards/Public Alert Radio in their emergency preparedness
efforts. To learn more about NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards and
the Public Alert designation,
visit www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/nwrrcvr.htm.
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Business
Tips for the Ohio Ready Campaign
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If your employees are
prepared at home, your company is better prepared for an emergency.
Encourage coworkers to get an emergency supply kit, make a family
emergency plan, and be informed about different types of emergencies.
Here are a few tips for the workplace:
• Include disaster training in new employee orientation
programs, and conduct emergency disaster drills with your employees.
• Use newsletters, intranets, staff meetings, and other
internal communications tools to familiarize employees with emergency
plans and procedures.
• Plan ahead for extended disruptions of electricity, gas,
telecommunications, and other utilities during and after a disaster.
• Include coworkers from all levels in planning and as active
members of the emergency management team.
• Plan what you will do if your building, plant, or store
is not accessible.
• Carefully assess your internal and external functions
to determine which staff, materials, procedures, and equipment
are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating.
• Designate an out-of-town phone number where employees
can leave an “I’m okay” message in a disaster.
• If you have any employees with disabilities or special
needs, ask them what assistance, if any, they require.
• Talk to your coworkers about what emergency supplies the
company can provide, and which ones individuals should consider
keeping on hand.
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Ohio Citizen
Corps Regional Conferences
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June
19, 2007
Homeland Security Regions 7 & 8
Holzer Medical Center
Rt. #32 & Burlington Rd.
Jackson, OH 45640
Focus – Liability Protection for Ohio Citizen Corps
volunteers
Keynote Speaker – Walter McNamara, OSCS/Citizen Corps Counsel,
Ohio Attorney General Office
Citizen Corps Council – Guernsey County
CERT – Guernsey County
Medical Reserve Corps – Scioto County
Neighborhood Watch – Vinton County Sheriff’s Dept
VIPS – Gallia County Sheriff’s Dept
Fire Corps – State Fire Marshal’s Office
June 21, 2007
Homeland Security Regions 1 & 3
Findlay Inn
200 East Main St.
Findlay, OH 45840
Focus – Anti–Terrorism in Ohio Keynote Speaker
– Mary Tyler, Ohio Department of Public Safety, Homeland
Security
Citizen Corps Council – Lucas County
CERT – Champaign County
Medical Reserve Corps – Clark & Greene County
Neighborhood Watch – Montgomery County
VIPS – Montgomery County
Fire Corps – Ohio Fire Chief’s Assn
June 26, 2007
Homeland Security Regions 4 & 6
Phoenix Golf Links
3413 Jackson Pike
Grove City, OH 43123
Focus – Vulnerable Populations & Pets in times of Disaster
Keynote Speakers – Bonnie Morrison, County Animal Rescue
Team & Capt. William Pwitorak, People with Special Needs,
Josuè Vicente, Ohio Hispanic Coalition
Citizen Corps Councils - Knox & Clermont Counties
CERT – Franklin & Morrow Counties
Medical Reserve Corps–Licking County
Neighborhood Watch – Westerville Police Dept.
VIPS – Cincinnati Police Dept
.Fire Corps – State Fire Marshal’s Office
REGISTRATION
AND CONTACT INFORMATION
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Rip
Currents on Lake Erie? |
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They can happen!
For
the summer months, NOAA's National Weather Service Forecast
Office in Cleveland will once again be adding rip current information
to some of the weather forecast and outlook products we issue
when there is an increased risk of rip currents along the shoreline
of Lake Erie.
New
for the 2007 Season...
When there is either a Moderate or High risk for rip currents
along the Lake Erie shoreline between Maumee Bay and Ripley,
NY, NWS Cleveland will highlight this increased risk in the
morning Hazardous Weather Outlook and in the Near shore Marine
Forecast. In addition, a Lakeshore Hazard Message will be issued
especially for those times that the rip current risk is determined
to be High.
Low
Risk of rip currents. Wind and/or wave conditions are
not expected to support the development of rip currents; however,
rip currents can sometimes occur, especially in the vicinity
of groins, jetties, and piers. Know how to swim and heed the
advice of lifeguards.
Moderate
Risk of rip currents. Wind and/or wave conditions support
stronger or more frequent rip currents. Only experienced surf
swimmers should enter the water.
High
Risk of rip currents. Wind and/or wave conditions support
dangerous rip currents. Rip currents are life-threatening to
anyone entering the surf.
Learn
More about Rip Currents
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National
Preparedness Month
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National
Preparedness Month is September, and this year it is going to
be big in Ohio! The Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Citizen
Corps and other state agencies and associations will be holding
special community
events
across the state.
Each week will have
an outreach theme:
Week 1 - Safety
for our Schools (State events in Scioto and Cuyahoga
Counties)
Week 2 - Business
(State event in Franklin County)
Week 3 - Cultural
Diversity (State event in Lucas County)
Week 4 - Homes
and Families (State event in Butler County)
In addition, Governor
Ted Strickland will be hosting an event on September 11 at the
statehouse to commemorate National Patriot's Day.
You can and
are encouraged to get involved.
All Citizen Corps Councils,
MRC units and other organizations can hold local events.
A new web site www.ready.ohio.gov
will be up and running in July. The site will feature a calendar
to view and share information about local activities. Also, National
Preparedness Month information and materials for Ohio will be
available.
Speaking of materials,
all agencies and associations can order, AT NO COST, ready.gov
brochures and pamphlets. Each organization can request 1,000 of
each publication. Just visit:
www.ready.gov/america/publications/allpubs.html
If you have any questions
or need assistance planning for National Preparedness Month, please
contact Paul Bender at paul.bender@ocsc.state.oh.us
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For Kids
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The
Ohio Insurance Institute has an excellent weather safety site
for children.
www.weatherclub.org
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